Truly Sweet

by Candis Terry

  Promised.

  Once he’d climbed to the deck of the tree house, he’d had no choice but to kiss her. Not because of all the teasing that had gone on between them but because he’d been moved to.

  I believe in you.

  Her four words were straightforward, easily spoken. And for that reason alone, he simply couldn’t not kiss her.

  She believed in him when he didn’t have the nerve to believe in himself.

  Was there any doubt why every time he looked across a room and found her there, he smiled.

  She believed in him.

  If he told any one of his brothers how he felt, they’d laugh their asses off. Then they’d tell him he was a goner. He wasn’t gone. But he also wasn’t whole enough to think he could put any kind of meaning behind the curiosity he felt. Not even if the way he felt when he was around Annie was damned good.

  Once they quit their sparring.

  He liked kissing her. Just the thought planted a warm tingle right in the center of his chest.

  He liked kissing her.

  But there couldn’t be more.

  As much as every cell in his body wanted her, he had to keep her in the friend zone. It wouldn’t be fair for him to start something he couldn’t finish, or to make a promise he couldn’t keep. Annie wasn’t a see-you-once-in-a-while kind of girl like Jessica Holt. Annie was a forever kind of girl. Unfortunately, at this point in his life, he was a barely there kind of guy.

  Another cacophony of metal pots hitting against each other crashed loudly from the kitchen.

  Unable to delay the inevitable any longer, he threw off the covers, dressed, and stumbled into the mess in the kitchen. Pots and pans, cooking utensils, plates, bowls, and other various kitchen necessities were piled high on the countertops. The kitchen table had disappeared beneath stacks of linens and cookbooks.

  “Good Lord, woman, what are you doing?”

  Amid the disaster and dressed in her customary jeans, button-down shirt, and big blond Texas-sized hairdo, his mother chuckled. Then she wandered over to the table and plopped a Sweet on Texas dessert cookbook down with the other piles. “You sound just like your daddy when he’d wander in during the midst of my spring cleaning.”

  “Mom?” He scratched his head. “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s early fall.”

  “I have noticed, son. Which means if I plan to hold to the November wedding date Martin has requested, I’d best get the backside of my jeans in gear.”

  “I didn’t know you two had set a date.” He pulled out a chair and sat down, not because his leg was aching but because he was truly surprised.

  “Happened last night,” she said in a much-too-nonchalant manner. “You want some coffee?”

  “If you’ve got some handy.”

  “Got a fresh pot right here behind this red cookware.” She retrieved the carafe, then filled a mug that was already sitting on the table in front of him. Automatically, she set the bowl of sugar down and went to the refrigerator for the pitcher of cream.

  “Good for you finally setting a date,” he said. When she didn’t respond, he looked up from the curl of steam from his mug. “You nervous?”

  She shook her head. “Not nervous about marrying Martin. But . . . I wanted to wait.”

  “For?” He lifted the mug and sipped, careful not to burn his tongue just in case he had the opportunity to kiss Annie again soon.

  “Well . . .” A long sigh blew through his mother’s lips. “I wanted all my babies to have found their happily-ever-afters and be married before I took that step myself.”

  “I’d say you’ve done a pretty good job making that happen. You’ve even got a new granddaughter, with another one on the way.”

  She sat in the chair next to him and gave a motherly shake of her head. “Perhaps you missed the part where I said all my babies.”

  “Don’t look at me.”

  “You’re my son, aren’t you? My baby boy?”

  “I’m not much of a baby anymore. And marriage is the last thing on my mind.”

  “Why? You’re not getting any younger.”

  “Geez.” He choked on the sip of coffee he’d just taken. “Seriously? I’m only thirty-one.”

  “Like I said, not getting any younger. Your twenties are behind you. Partying days are over.”

  “Says who?” He folded his arms across his chest just to protect himself from all those crazy thoughts she was aiming at his heart. “Jesse built himself a bachelor’s paradise and got to enjoy the hell out of it before he hooked up with Allie. And he’s sneaking up on thirty-five. I think three out of four brothers is pretty good odds. You should just let it go at that.”

  “I should have had a five out of five. But that option was taken away from me.”

  The reminder of the loss of his oldest brother slammed home like the blade of a sharp knife.

  “So . . .” His mother laid her hand on the table, leaned in close, and gave him the stink-eye. “Are you really going to deny me four out of four?”

  “Mom.” He leaned away from the all-knowing, all-seeing power in her eyes. Sometimes, his mom just scared the shit out of him. “I just came home. I haven’t even had time to go out on a date yet.”

  “Don’t be silly. Since when have you ever dated?” She slapped her hand down on the small space of tabletop that was actually visible. “Which reminds me . . . you’d do well to stay away from that Jessica Holt.”

  How the hell did she know about Jessica?

  “She’s no good for you.”

  Last time she’d been on top of him playing bronc rider, she’d been pretty good.

  “She’s nothing but trouble with a big bra size,” his mother continued. “What you need is a nice girl. Not one you’d worry about her messin’ around with someone else every time your back was turned.”

  “Rest assured, I’m not planning on hooking up with Jessica Holt.” How could he when there was only a cute, fiery little blonde on his mind?

  “I’m not resting at all until all my babies are settled and happy.” She poked her finger into the front of his T-shirt. “You hear me, son? I said all. That includes you.”

  Jake brushed her hand away and tried to keep from laughing. His mother had the same MO every time she tried to make a point, which was to make herself seem big and tough and like she could kick any one of him or his brother’s sorry asses anytime she wanted. He didn’t doubt she could do just that. At the same time, the twinkle in her blue eyes was tinged with laughter as if she knew it was ridiculous for her to be trying to tough guy someone who was a foot taller and a mile broader.

  “I’ve got a long way to go before I’m ready to find settled and happy, Mom. So you’d best just keep making those wedding plans of yours and forget about the rest.”

  She leaned back in the chair and sighed. “I really do have to get better at my I’ll kick your ass voice, don’t I?”

  “Believe me.” Jake laughed. “You do just fine.” He set down his mug and took her hand. “And I appreciate your concern. But life isn’t about having it rush by so fast you can’t see it. Sometimes, you have to sit back, take a breath, and let it happen.”

  Her head went back. “Where’d you hear that?”

  Annie. “Just popped into my head.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Uh-oh. He could tell by that head tilt that she’d switched on her Mom radar. Seemed like a good time for a diversion. Or a quick exit.

  “Besides, now that the Marines have said adios, I need to figure out what the hell to do with my life. What woman in her right mind would want to hook up with a guy who didn’t have things figured out?”

  “Sugarplum, I know it hurt you down deep when you received the honorable discharge. I know you feel you could have given more. And I know you see it as some kind of punishment for what happened. But I wish you wouldn�
��t do that. As much as you want to beat yourself up about it, what happened that day comes down to circumstance and tragedy. Neither of which you had any control over. Personally, I couldn’t be happier you aren’t going back. I’ve grown fond of sleeping through the night knowing my boys are home. Living their lives and finding happiness. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, with plenty of time to figure things out. So what is it you think you might like to do?”

  The weight on his shoulders barely budged when he shrugged. “I guess I could go back to college and finish getting my degree.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “I’d probably like to stick with horticulture and landscaping.”

  “An excellent idea. And one you’re very good at. What else?”

  An uncontrollable sigh pushed from his lungs. “Finding a way to face the past so I can move forward?” He grinned, knowing that’s exactly what she’d wanted him to say.

  She grinned in response. “That sounds like the best idea yet.”

  “Funny how I knew you’d say that.”

  “The possibilities are endless.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “And I’m more than happy to do my share with helping you get to your happily-ever-after. So you might want to ask why I’m cleaning out everything.”

  From Chutes and Ladders to Monopoly, his mother loved to play games. “Fine. I’ll bite.” He leaned forward and put on an eager face. “So what’s up with the spring cleaning in the fall?”

  “Well, I’ve got to go through things before I move out. See what you and your brothers or the girls might want.”

  “Move out?”

  “Sugarplum, I’m marrying Martin in a few months. Just in case you missed that part.”

  “I didn’t miss it I just thought you’d—”

  “Live here?”

  He nodded.

  “Your daddy and I built this place together. It wouldn’t feel right to bring another man in to live here. I have such special memories of me and your daddy putting this place together with all of you boys underfoot. I don’t want to wash those memories away. I’d rather keep them in my heart and see them in my mind whenever I walked through the front door.”

  The fear of her intent sliced through Jake. His father had willed portions of the hundreds of acres to him and his brothers, but the will never specifically mentioned the main ranch house. He’d always assumed his mother would live there until one day she passed. Did she intend to sell?

  “But this is your home, Mom.”

  “And it’s been a wonderful home for all these years. But I’m starting a new chapter. You should too.” She gave his hand a little pat. “And now you can, because this place will be yours.”

  “What?”

  “Your brothers all have their own homes, their own parcels of land. You have a piece of land too. But I plan to move out sometime in the next couple of weeks. And then Wilder Ranch is all yours.”

  His heart pounded out of control. Like someone had put a lock on his brain and his mouth, words escaped him, and he just stared at her.

  On the several hundreds of acres attached to the main portion of this land, they’d explored, dreamed, grown, and discovered who they were as boys and men. Until each brother had worked his own way out into the world and joined the Marines, they’d all lived together under one roof, trying not to step on anyone, learning how to get along and be a family. They’d fought, laughed, prayed, and held each other’s hands through the tough times.

  All within these walls.

  Though as his mother had said, his brothers all had their own places. But by moving out of the ranch house, she—the glue who held them all together—would change the dynamics of their family forever.

  “Unless you don’t want it,” she said.

  “It’s not that I don’t want it, Mom. It’s—”

  “Nothing ever stays the same, son.” She patted his hand. “Most of the time, change is good. Sometimes it’s painful and hard to let go. But that’s why God gave us memories. We get to hold on to those for the rest of our lives. In the meantime, we build—or rebuild—from the ground up. Our family will continue to grow. And that’s a very good thing. It would have made your father and your brother very happy.”

  “I don’t know.” He leaned back and tried to catch his breath. There were too many things coming his way. Too many issues he didn’t know how to deal with. In his mind, he’d always been a rough-and-tough son of a bitch. But everything that had taken place in recent months had left him feeling weak and vulnerable. He didn’t like it, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to save his own ass at this point.

  His mother leaned forward and tucked her fingers beneath his chin the same way she’d done when he’d been a little boy. He had no choice but to look smack-dab into the goodness sparkling in her eyes.

  “You’ve grown into a fine man, son. And you’re going to be all right. I promise. Even if right now all right seems a million miles away. Cherish the good memories. Banish the bad. Build new ones. And stay away from women like Jessica Holt. Don’t be the kind of man a woman just wants to go to bed with. Be the kind of man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.”

  He couldn’t help laugh. “How many speeches like that have you given at this very table?”

  “Dozens.” Her grin lit up the room. “And I’m not done yet. Although I’ll be giving those speeches from a different kitchen and a different table from now on.”

  She slurped down the rest of her coffee, then shoved a pile of recipe books in front of him. “In the meantime, you might want to get reading some of those because you’ll be cooking for yourself. And figuring out which room you’re going to give a new coat of paint first.”

  “Why would I want to change anything?” His mom had gone on a redecorating tangent about the time Charli and her makeover show rolled into town, but she had pretty good taste. Even if she did have a pink rhinestone-studded cow skull over her bed.

  “Because this is how I wanted the house to look. You’ve got your own style.”

  “Camo and empty Shiner bottles?”

  “I certainly hope not.” Her laughter tickled his heart. “But don’t think you’re going to be able to steal the John Wayne painting from Jesse either. I think he’s got it under twenty-four-hour surveillance.” With a little shrug, she turned to continue her cleaning.

  Over the years, his parents had been supportive, understanding, and loving. Jake knew he was lucky. Especially when there were others like Annie, Abby, and Reno—before he’d come to live on Wilder Ranch—who hadn’t been dealt such a good hand.

  “Hey, Mom?”

  She turned.

  “Thanks.”

  “Why, son, you don’t have to thank me for giving you a house that’s always been yours.”

  “Not the house, though that’s appreciated. I’m thanking you for being my mom.”

  “Oh, sugarplum.” A sigh lifted her chest. “It’s my pleasure.”

  The call from Jake came from nowhere and surprised Annie so much, she’d stuttered for her first few responses. When he showed up at her door a bit later, she’d had to compose herself and not let the fact that after last night’s kiss at the tree house, she’d done nothing but think of him until dawn peeked through the crack in her curtains and shed a harsh light on a longtime fantasy.

  One kiss did not equal a relationship.

  One kiss did not equal the opportunity for another.

  One kiss did not equal the possibility that he thought of her in the same way as she did him.

  Now they were headed to a secret location, which didn’t matter much to Max, who sat in his car seat in the backseat of Jake’s big truck, babbling at everything that passed by the window. Though Jake had strapped the actual seat in place, he’d not offered to carry Max to the truck and settle him in the seat. Now that Annie thought about it,
she’d not seen Jake engage much with his two nieces either. He’d watch, but he’d definitely kept his distance. Before, he’d have been down on the floor playing like a big kid. His lack of proximity and participation unsettled her. Not for the first time did she wonder what she could do to help him come out from the cave of reservations he’d backed into.

  “And where exactly are you rushing us off to?” she asked him while he sat behind the wheel concentrating so hard the corners of his eyes crinkled.

  “Abby’s.”

  “Abby’s house? Abby’s secondhand store? Or Abby’s rescue center?”

  “You said I needed a dog.”

  “I say a lot of things, and you’ve never heard any of it before.” She folded her arms. “So why now?”

  He shrugged and flipped on the turn signal. “Maybe this time you made sense.”

  “I always make sense.”

  “Annabelle. Those purple-and-orange-striped socks you wore with your cargo pants in high school made no sense whatsoever.”

  “While I appreciate that you even bothered to notice—or remember, you keep referring to things I did in high school. In case all that partying you’ve done in the past has affected your brain, I graduated from high school ten years ago.”

  His dark blue gaze slipped across the seat, and he gave her as intimate a perusal as driving a half-ton truck would allow. “Well, I’ll at least admit that your selections in clothing have gotten better.”

  “Thank you, Ralph Lauren. I’m so glad you approve.” She sighed and dove into the unavoidable elephant in the truck. “So what makes you think Bo isn’t the guy for me?”

  “You’re too different.”

  “Haven’t you heard? Opposites attract.”

  “Yeah, but you’re talking about fire and gasoline. With him and you, it’s more like pablum and sass.”

  “Which do I get to be?”

  “Darlin’, you are all sass, all the time.”

  It was hard to take that as a slam when he had such a cute grin on his face. “Funny. When I look at Bo, I don’t see bland.”

  “Then what do you see?”

  “A good-looking nice guy with a fantastic career and a lot to offer a woman.”