What feels like a few minutes later, but is actually a couple hours, I am awaken by the buzz of a chainsaw. Glancing at my phone, it’s already eight which would normally be late for my brother but I’ll cut him some slack since it’s Christmas morning. I start a pot of coffee for him, the only reason I own the machine, and grab a Red Bull as I head to the bathroom to get ready. I take my time, enjoying my solitude and peace for the day. This time next year, Bentley will be a distant memory and Paulie won’t be so worried about me. Then I’ll be able to truly enjoy the holidays as they were meant to be…in my pajamas, never leaving my house.
When I step out of the shower, the buzz of the chainsaw is still audible so I take my time blow drying my hair and even curling it into loose ringlets that frame my face. I brush on some mascara and blush then pull on a pair of jeans, a fitted long sleeve black shirt, and a pair of matching Uggs. Digging in my sweater box, I find a woven grey vest with a matching beanie that I throw on. In the kitchen, I pour a mug of coffee and walk outside to check on my brother.
From under the carport, I see the tree is cut away enough that I can back my car out. The hum of the saw stops and I carefully slide across my driveway over a solid sheet of ice. My eyes cast upward and the mug slips out of my hands, shattering on the solid water, turning it black.
The man on my roof turns his attention to the sound of the ceramic breaking and cautiously shimmies down the ladder. In his own pair of jeans and boots, he slips and slides his way to me. He takes my hands and inspects me closely for any injury.
“Julianna, are you okay?”
My heart races at his husky voice and the sound of my name on his lips. Swallowing slowly, I nod, unable to speak and he pulls me against his body, embracing me tightly. Softly, he whispers in my hair, “I’m not married anymore.”
I look up quickly, trying to read Bentley’s face. When I was younger, I’d always hoped I’d catch Santa delivering my Christmas present. Looks like I still haven’t caught the fat guy, but I’m okay with what he’s left for me.
***
I barely have her in my arms when I’ve already told her my news. My divorce is final and from the look on her face, I think she’s ready to finally hear me out. Her eyes twinkle in the early morning sun and my fingers twist around her curled locks. I take a deep breath and smell her jasmine shampoo, the same jasmine that’s drove me insane from the first day I met her. Looking into her eyes, I want nothing more than to kiss her, but first things first, it’s time for the truth.
Chapter 29
I can tell he just got his hair cut and he trimmed his beard recently as well. I want to reach out and run my fingers over both, but I refrain by shoving my hands in my pockets. It’s obvious he didn’t come over just to take care of the tree on my house. He’s not wearing his work jeans and his coat is definitely not one he’d wear to work either. His Adam’s apple bobs nervously as he waits for my reaction.
Ignoring his comment, I nod toward the roof. “Did it leave any major damage?”
Bentley lets out the breath he was holding and shakes his head. “Nothing obvious, but won’t know for sure until the ice thaws. I took some pictures for you to give to your insurance company.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, not sure how else to answer. Questions fly through my mind faster than I can catch one to focus on.
We both stand there awkwardly, dragging our feet from side to side, trying to stay warm. I look down and remember the coffee. Lifting my gaze to his, I point inside. “I have some coffee inside if you want some.”
“The only thing I want is you, Julianna Rossi,” Bentley says in a low voice, full of need and desire. My heart skips at his declaration and my pulse speeds up as he takes my hand in his. “Is now a good time to talk?”
Unable to think of any excuse as to why it’s not, partially because I’m finally ready to hear what he has to say and the other part because I miss him and I want him back, even if only for a few minutes to hear his lame excuse. I nod slowly and Bentley kisses my hand before he begins.
“First off, I never meant to hide anything from you. When Bri took Emmy cake tasting with you all, I thought she’d told you who she was. You never mentioned her, I didn’t want to scare you off or push the subject so I never brought it up. She spent the summer with her mom so it was an easy topic to avoid. It broke my heart that you never asked about my daughter, but knowing you never knew who she was explained everything.”
Tears brim my eyes, but I don’t fight them. I know there’s no way I’m going to escape this conversation without shedding a few. “Bentley, I adore Emmy, even before I knew who she was.”
He smiles and squeezes my hand. “As for being married, yes, I am, was married… for eight years. Christie and I were high school sweethearts, married when we were both twenty-one, had Emmy a couple years later. When Emmy turned three, Christie connected with some guy on the Internet we’d gone to high school with. They met up one weekend and she slept with him. She told me right away and we spent the next year of our marriage trying to rekindle what we’d had but things were never the same. We never found that old flame we once carried for each other. When I found them in bed together, our bed, I decided it was over. For the past two years, we’ve been separated but neither of us ever filed for divorce. I spent all my time with Emmy or my business so I had no need to get divorced because I wasn’t dating, it just wasn’t a priority for me and obviously, it didn’t bother Christie’s boyfriend that we were still married.”
My stomach drops as I realize what an ass I’d been for not letting him explain this to me sooner. In my heart, I knew Bentley wasn’t a cheater, but I was too afraid to know the truth. Bentley’s finger trails under my chin and he looks into my eyes.
“The week after the Cards’ game, Christie took Emmy and moved to Cape to be with this guy. That’s why I wasn’t able to see you sooner, I was trying to be amicable with Christie for our daughter’s sake. After our weekend at the lake, I went straight to my lawyer’s office and filed. Julianna, you made me believe in love again. You woke up feelings and emotions I’d never felt with Christie, not even when we were in high school. I will always love her because she gave me Emmy, but I will never, nor have I ever, loved her the way I love you. From the depths of my soul to the tip of my fingers, Julianna, I will never be able to love you enough. Every day, my heart craves more of you… your touch, your laugh, your squeals of delight and disgust,” he smiles as he pauses before going on, “Julianna Rossi, aside from my daughter, you are the most important woman in my life and I can’t go on another day without you.”
The waterworks are on full effect, I’m surprised that the tears haven’t formed into icicles on my cheeks. Without speaking, I throw my arms around his neck, both of us slipping slightly on the ice and laughing. Our foreheads leaning together, Bentley runs his fingers through my hair as I begin to ramble and mumble my apologies. His fingers tug at my hair, forcing me to stop.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Julianna. Just tell me you love me and you aren’t going anywhere,” he demands.
Smiling through my tears, I nod and repeat his words. “I love you, Bentley Ladner. As long as you never hide anything from me again, you’re stuck with me.”
His lips find mine and I moan as his tongue delves into my mouth, waking up the hormones I’d hidden away. My fingers finally touch his freshly shaved beard, sliding my finger over his cheek to his nose, memorizing every inch of this face that I plan to wake up to for the rest of my life. Without warning, Bentley scoops me into his arms and carries me inside.
Grinning, he answers my demand. “Oh Julianna, I think it’s safe to say we’re stuck with each other for a long time.” Then he tosses me on my bed and unzips his jacket. I bite my lip trying to hold in my delight, but it does no good as he leans forward and unfastens my jeans. A million thoughts rush through my mind, but the only one I can pinpoint is, thank you Santa!
***
Propped up on the headboard, the sheet resting at my
waist, I fold my arms behind my head. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas morning. I have my Julianna back where she belongs, with me. My smile gets wider as she waltzes back in the bedroom wearing absolutely nothing and carrying a tray of food.
“Thought we might need a snack to rejuvenate our energy,” she says as she holds up a bagel with cream cheese.
Setting the tray on the bed beside me, she starts to crawl over me and I quickly grab the back of her thighs, pulling her against me so she can feel how hard I am. She giggles as she leans down and kisses me, my hands roaming over her bare skin, pulling her closer to me. Sex with her is like no other sex I’ve ever had, she rocks my world in more ways than she realizes, the way her tongue does naughty things to my entire body.
Breaking the kiss, she reaches for the tray and retrieves a can of whipped cream. Slowly shaking it, she pulls my chin down, opening my mouth. A second later, my mouth is full of cream and her lips are on mine. Rolling her to her back, she squeals as I tickle her, taking the can away from her and spraying a long trail from her breasts to between her legs. I smile as I glance up at her, this is the best Christmas present I’ve ever received.
EPILOGUE
One Year Later
Bentley paces in the hospital before me and I lean back, entirely too amused at how charming his antics are. When he passes me again, I reach out and grab his hand, pulling him to me. His forehead is creased with worry and I lean up, pressing my lips to his, my tongue gliding into his mouth, trying to calm his nerves. Not responding immediately, he finally accepts my advance and I feel his body relax ever so slightly. Our tongues still moving with each other’s, the door opens and he bounces up, staring at the nurse, ready for any info she might divulge. She glances at her chart and then backs out of the room without saying anything.
“It’s been over three hours and no update, something must be wrong,” he comments as he falls into the chair beside me. Leaning forward, he holds his head in his hands and lets out a long sigh.
My hands move to his shoulders and I massage them. “Babe, we got up here not even thirty minutes after Paulie called and said her water broke. These things take time,” I say trying to assure him, not that I’d ever given birth before, but hey, I’ve heard stories.
He sits up and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “You’re right, sorry. I promise I won’t be like this when it’s our turn.”
I laugh nervously as my eyes go wide. “Excuse me… our turn?”
For the first time since we arrived, he smiles and nods. “Yeah, our turn, Julianna. You want kids, right?” My heart sings as he says my name. Ever since I told him Julianna was only allowed for people who love me, he’s never directly called me Jules again.
“I want a ring first,” I reply, trying to drop the subject. It’s not that I don’t want kids, it’s just that Bentley turned thirty this past year and he’s much more ready for a baby than I am, which means kids will probably happen sooner rather than later and that totally freaks me out. I love Emmy like my own, but a baby and a seven-year-old are two totally different worlds. Bentley’s smile gets slightly bigger and I narrow my eyes, wondering what he’s up to.
“He’s here!” Paulie’s voice calls out behind me and Bentley jumps up. The two men are in the process of the awkward male half-hug when I reach them and throw my arms around both their necks, forcing them to hug like the family we are.
A few minutes later, we’re in Bri’s recovery room and Bentley is holding our new nephew, Callum James Rossi. Perched on the arm of the chair, my arms on Bentley’s shoulders, he looks up at me and grins. “Look at this. How could you not want one? I miss Emmy being this little.”
I kiss his forehead and laugh. “I think Emmy is good for us for now, but I’ll think about it.”
This past year has been a whirlwind. A month after Christmas, Bentley started building us a house on a few acres of his parents’ land that he purchased. Before school was over, we were all moved in, my house filled with renters. Unfortunately, Emmy left for her mom’s just a few days before the house was complete. It was probably better that way since Bentley and I basically lived out of boxes until the week before she came home, not to mention that we christened each room in our own special way. Still, I missed her like crazy and my heart ached when she was away. Since she’s been home, poor Bentley doesn’t stand a chance when the two of us gang up on him.
Callum grasps Bentley’s finger and his grin gets bigger. Without a doubt, I know there will be more babies in the future for him, for us.
Bentley catches me staring at him. He gives me a wink but doesn’t move as he says, “We’d better get going. I know it’s about to be Grand Central Station in here once Mom arrives.”
I hug Bri and give baby Cal a kiss on the forehead as we get ready to leave.
“Where ‘ya guys headed?” Bri asks, not taking her eyes off her son, completely and totally enamored with the new man in her life.
Bentley looks up proudly as he announces, “To the Arch.”
Bri’s eyes shoot up and get wide. “Seriously?”
Paulie slaps Bentley’s back. “I’m glad you finally got her to conquer that fear.”
It took some convincing, but she says she’s ready to try it again.”
I shrug as all eyes turn to me. I walk over to my brother who pulls me into a hug. I rest my head on his chest, whispering, “I’m proud of you, Paulie.” He beams like the proud father that he is. Pinching his side, I tease, “You didn’t screw me up too bad so I’m sure you’ll do fine with Cal.”
“Hey!” Paulie objects and we all laugh.
Glancing around the room at Bri, Bentley, Paulie, and baby Callum, I smile. Never in a million years did I dream this would be the picture of my family, but it is, along with my two other “brothers,” Doug and Smitty. Ever since my parents died, I’d tried to avoid love. My thought process was if I didn’t fall in love, I’d never get married, never have kids, and never risk leaving them alone like my parents did.
Doug was the first to get married, then Paulie. Smitty got engaged just this past month after a whirlwind relationship and I’m pretty sure my future husband is sitting across the room holding my nephew. I couldn’t have been further off course with my thinking. Turns out, everybody’s after love.
***
J.P. walks us out to the hallway where my parents greet us. Emmy wraps herself around Jules and the two most important women in my life embrace each other. With both of them distracted, I turn to J.P. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
He nods and we take a few steps away from the crowd. Digging in my pocket, I pull out a small square box and open it for J.P. to see. His eyes get bigger at the sight of the marquise cut diamond surrounded by both aquamarine and emerald stones which are Julianna’s and Emmy’s birthstones. The jewels are held together in a filigree setting and gives it a unique, antique look.
I stare at the ring even though I have it memorized. I’ve been holding on to it for over three months, pulling it out every now and then and waiting for the right moment to give it to her. My eyes move to my daughter and my girlfriend, beaming at the two of them, I tell J.P. “I’m in love. Julianna made my heart whole again, my daughter loves her, she makes both of our worlds brighter. We need her, J.P. Emmy and I need her to complete our family.”
As I finish speaking, I look at him and he nods. “If you’re asking for my blessing to marry my sister, you have it.”
My mouth forms a grin as J.P. and I shake hands then I pull him to me for a hug. Soon enough, we’ll be brother-in-laws for a second time. Walking over to Julianna, I take her hand prepared to ask her to be my wife six hundred and thirty feet above the ground and knowing she won’t be scared of either because we’re in love, everybody’s in love.
MY FAVORITE WHAT IF
One year after Jacob "Smitty" Smith is stood up at the altar, his good friend Jules encourages him to redeem his honeymoon package before it expires. Reluctantly, he agrees, and finds himself sit
ting beside free spirit Sloan Talbott, who is attending her sister's destination wedding at the same resort. Both have been hurt. Neither is looking for love. Will one week in paradise be a fling to remember or could it possibly lead to something more?
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First off, I have to thank my husband for the being the good ‘ole country boy he is and the inspiration for Bentley. I still may not be as brave as Jules and refuse to touch a fish, but I’ve enjoyed spending time with you around the pond since before we were married and even now when you show our daughter how it’s done.
This book is another result of Rachelle Ayala’s Romance in a Month “support group.” Thank you Rachelle for leading the class and for beta reading for me. Also, I want to thank Michele Shriver for beta reading for me although I think I have forever ruined Florida Georgia Line for, but they’re just so charming! And thanks to my writing bestie, K.S. Thomas, for beta reading and convincing me that country boys are just as sexy as firemen and baseball players.
To the wonderful, Melissa Keir, thank you for your amazing formatting skills. To Tami Adams of Magic of Books Promotions, thank you for proofreading and putting together my release day blitz. And to Kelly Walker, thank you for the gorgeous cover. I only hope that Bentley and Jules do it justice.
To my lovers of Lyssa Layne-THANK YOU for your continued support! This is your first read of mine not in the Burning Lovesick series so I hope you enjoy while getting to know my hometown through Jules and Bentley. Happy reading!
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