by Tessa Layne
“Tell me this means you’ll stick around past the end of the month.” Maddie’s eyes filled with pleading. “Blake would be thrilled. He said Mason Carter was really impressed with you and Brodie. He’s decided to model his ranch in Montana after the lodge. You can’t ask for a better endorsement than that.” She rubbed her belly and grinned hopefully. “Plus, baby needs a crazy auntie.”
Jamey’s heart warmed. The thought of being a crazy auntie to a little Maddie or Blake was certainly enticing. Almost as enticing as exploring something deeper with Brodie. She’d been secretly mulling it over since he’d blurted out she should stay.
“I’ve thought about it.”
“Really?” Maddie gushed, unable contain her enthusiasm.
She nodded. Her own brothers were nowhere near having children. If she was honest with herself, she couldn’t imagine life in a place with no brothers or no Maddie. The months that she’d been alone in Chicago, once Maddie had moved back to Prairie, had been lonely and cold. She didn’t like the thought of pulling up stakes solely because her gig at the lodge was over.
The blast of horns honking and the squeal of tires brought her attention back to the kitchen.
“Oh Lordy, the grannie brigade is here.” Maddie grinned over at her. “I’m going to need a glass of that cider.” She grabbed a flute from the counter and held it out for Jamey to fill.
CHAPTER 32
A knock sounded at the kitchen door. “Yoo-hoo.” Dottie stuck her head in. Her eyes widened at the spread on the island. “My you’ve been busy.”
Jamey pushed down the snappy comeback and put on a smile. “Why, yes, I have. Would you like a glass of bubbles?” She’d put on a good face for Maddie today, even if it meant she had to bite clean through her tongue to do it.
“I’ll pour, Jamey.” Maddie reached for the bottle. “She gets a little tiddly after a few glasses.” She spoke low enough only Jamey could hear.
Jamey’d make sure the champagne flowed, then. Even if she had to drive some of the women home herself.
Maddie handed Dottie a glass, and led her into the great room. Jamey followed with the champagne and a tray of flutes. The rest of the women, Aunt Martha, Millie Prescott, Gloria McPherson – the organist at which church Jamey couldn’t remember, and Emmaline Andersson, the local dressmaker, were in the process of rearranging the furniture in the great room. Millie held an enormous bouquet she’d brought with her from her grocery store.
“Put that down wherever you like, Millie. I’ll start bringing out the food. Champagne anyone? Once the food’s out, help yourselves.”
The ladies eagerly took glasses. Maddie’s sister-in-law, Emma, who’d driven over from Kansas City, began to pile boxes and bags of gifts in front of the hearth. Pretty soon it would look like a pink and blue explosion had taken place.
“I hope you drove down in Blake’s truck, Mads,” Jamey said dryly. “You may need a trailer hitch to haul all this loot back to the Big House.”
Maddie settled herself in one of the big leather chairs, beaming. Jamey kept bringing out the food while the women dug into the boxes. Periodically, she’d hear an “ooh” or a squeal of “That’s SO adorable.”
Once the table was laid, Jamey refilled her own glass and perched on the arm of the chair Millie occupied.
Maddie looked over at her, eyes shining, and pointed to a large wooden cradle at her feet. “Look at this, Jamey. This was my cradle. Dad and Uncle Eddie refinished it.”
Jamey lifted her glass in a salute to Martha. “You must be so excited, Martha.”
“Oh, we’re all excited,” Gloria interjected. “We never thought any of the Sinclaire boys would settle down. This is the future of Prairie.”
“No pressure though, sweetie pie,” Dottie patted Maddie’s knee. “Little Blake can grow up to be whatever he wants.”
“Are you having a boy, Maddie?” Emmaline asked from the table, the plate in her hands piled high.
Just how Jamey liked it. There was nothing quite so satisfying as seeing happy people eat her food.
“We’re waiting to be surprised.”
Dottie narrowed her eyes, studying Maddie’s belly. “What does Ben say?”
“He won’t.”
“What do you mean, he won’t?” Dottie crossed her arms. “You tell that boy I said to spill the beans.”
Maddie shook her head. “You know how he is, Dottie. He’ll say something if and when he’s ready.”
Emma nodded in agreement. “There’s no making Ben do anything until he’s ready.” She pointed to the box resting on Maddie’s knees. “Open that?”
Maddie pulled the lid off the box and gasped, pulling out a long and obviously very old lace baby dress.
“This is the Sinclaire family christening gown,” Emma explained. “If you look inside the hem of the underdress, the year and name of every child who’s worn it have been embroidered. The oldest date goes back to nineteen hundred, but I think the gown may be older than that.”
Jamey’s eyelids prickled.
In all the years she’d known Maddie, she’d carried an air of loneliness. Seeing Maddie glowing and basking in the love of so many people unleashed something deep inside her. Her own family was loud and boisterous. They’d as soon fight you as take care of you. They loved loud and hard.
This – what she was experiencing in Prairie – was love of community. Deep ties to place and to the people they worked alongside. Maybe it was the nature of her Irish roots to feel a bit melancholy that her family had experienced the world so differently. They’d fought and clawed to eek out a living, both in the old country and the new.
Another group squeal pulled Jamey from her reverie. Maddie held a sheer black babydoll negligee with feathers at the hem in one hand, and a hanger with a pair of crotchless panties and a see through bra with the centers cut out in the other.
“Well that ought to float Blake’s boat.”
The women giggled uncontrollably.
“Exactly,” Gloria clapped. “If I’ve learned one thing as a woman, is that it’s important to have as much fun after the baby as you did when making the baby.”
Maddie’s face turned three shades of pink.
Jamey couldn’t resist teasing. “Oh I’m sure she had fun making the baby.”
Martha giggled and took a sip of her champagne. “It’s pretty easy to have fun when someone as handsome as Blake Sinclaire wants to twiddle your diddle.”
Emmaline choked on her drink. This set off another round of tittering from the older women.
Dottie shifted her gaze to Jamey, eyes narrowing shrewdly. “And what’s this I hear about Brodie being dead gone on you?”
It was her turn to choke on her drink. Her face burned.
“I saw them making out behind the livestock barn at the county fair,” Millie volunteered.
She did? Jamey could have sworn they were completely alone.
Gloria tittered. “Ooh, he was always my favorite. Such big, strong muscles. And that devastating smile.”
His smile was definitely that.
“And those blue, blue eyes,” Dottie added with an appreciative smile.
Jamey cleared her throat. “Um. Yes, well. It seems like the cat’s out of the bag.”
Martha raised her glass. “Congratulations. You’re the first person that’s kept Brodie’s attention longer than a week.”
Longer than a week, huh? Was she stupid for thinking they could be anything other than a fling? Jamey’s stomach dropped to her ankles.
Dottie gave her a sharp glance. “I just hope you two’ve used condoms. We don’t need a Sinclaire baby boom around here. Maddie and Blake have given us more than enough excitement for quite some time.”
Great. Maddie had warned her about the Prairie Posse, but she hadn’t been prepared for this level of frankness from women she barely knew.
Millie sighed rhapsodically. “Babies are a gift from the universe. No amount of protection would have stopped this soul from choosing Maddie and
Blake at this time.”
Dottie rolled her eyes. “Lord help the man that falls for you and your metaphysical mumbo jumbo, Millie.”
“The universe will bring us together at the perfect time.”
Maddie stood and stretched her lower back. “Oh hush. I know you’re all as excited as we are.”
Hearing Maddie refer to herself as we after so many years of me, I, and my, tugged at Jamey’s heart.
Would she ever be a we? Could she be a we with Brodie? Lately, it felt like she could. And surprisingly, the idea didn’t scare her. But the town’s gossip did. Was she fooling herself into another heartbreak?
“These scones are heavenly, Jamey,” Emmaline gushed. “They’re the perfect texture. What’s your secret?”
She shrugged and gave her an enigmatic smile. “That magic combination of flour, sugar, protein, and fat.” Gluten-free flour, but she’d never spill the beans. Especially in front of Dottie.
Maddie spooned a bit of jam on her bite and popped it in her mouth, groaning. “God, Dottie. Have you tried these?”
A pained expression crossed Dottie’s face and she coughed. “Yes, yes. Very good.”
Jamey couldn’t help a slow grin. “Thanks.” She’d take the compliment, even if it was given under duress.
Maddie shot a hopeful smile in her direction. “It’s so nice to see my two favorite people appreciating each other.” She surveyed the group, her eyes lighting with excitement. “Jamey’s considering staying long term at the lodge.”
For the second time, Jamey choked on her champagne. Let the romance cat out of the bag, and suddenly Maddie had her living happily ever after.
“So things are that serious between you and Brodie?” Gloria practically bounced in her chair with delight. “We’d love it if you stayed.”
“Oh I think it’s serious,” Maddie blurted, pointing to her feet. “Look at the boots he gave her.”
The women collectively oohed and ahhed as they admired her new boots, giving each other knowing looks.
Jamey fought the urge to retreat to the kitchen. This was why she preferred to work parties, rather than attend them. The conversation was supposed to be about Maddie, not whether or not Brodie was her boyfriend, and she was staying in Prairie. The irony of Maddie being the gossip instigator hit her. She’d better get used to living under a microscope if she decided to stay.
Millie clapped her hands excitedly. “Would you teach me how to make the little macarons then? I want to feature them in my coffee bar at the grocery. And maybe your scones, too.” She shot a guilty look at Dottie. “And of course some of your apple pie, Dottie. No one can get enough of your pie.”
Jamey coughed and hid a smile. “Well, I hadn’t given it much thought yet.” She darted an ‘are you feckin’ crazy’ glare at Maddie. “But I suppose I could put together some classes.” As she spoke, the idea sprung to life.
There were enough celebrations in town, she could surely pick up a little high end pastry catering. And when there were no guests, she could offer classes at the lodge. Pastry with champagne, tasting meals, romantic dinners. The income would easily put the lodge in the black and give her the creative outlet she’d need to stay anywhere long term.
She could even host pop-up fancy dinners. Pop-up restaurants were becoming the rage in Chicago, and there was no reason she couldn’t bring that concept to Prairie. Even draw day-trippers down from Manhattan or Kansas City.
Her heart pounded as the vision unfolded. It would take a few days to research, but if she spun the proposal right, maybe she could be in charge in more than name only. Her brother’s voice niggled at the back of her brain. ‘No more ventures without a contract, Jameyson. You work too hard to let yourself get screwed over by dick.’
Brodie wasn’t that kind of person, though. Maybe he had been, but not anymore. Certainly not since they’d become official. He helped her in the kitchen with a smile on his face. She smiled at the dirty memory.
Partnering with Brodie would never be dull.
Of that, she was certain.
“Earth to Jamey.” Maddie appeared at her elbow, eyes full of concern. “Are you all right? It was okay I let the cat out of the bag, wasn’t it? I’m just so excited about the possibility of having you close by when the baby comes. And I think you have so much to offer a place like Prairie.”
“What about Brodie? Are you excited about that, too?”
Maddie’s eyes warmed. “I want you to be happy, Jamey. And if Brodie makes you happy…”
“Aww, Mads.” Jamey leaned over Maddie’s burgeoning belly, and caught her in a hug. “You’re adorable all bloomin’ and twitterpated. Even if you can’t keep your big mouth shut.”
Maddie slid her a sly glance. “I still can’t get over you and Brodie. You’re as wild as he is. Maybe that’s what you both need. Someone strong to challenge the other.”
“Keep me on the straight and narrow?”
“I don’t think anyone could do that,” Maddie laughed.
“I’ll admit, it’s nice having someone in my corner.”
Really nice.
CHAPTER 33
Brodie opened the door to the kitchen and stuck in his head. “Is the coast clear?”
Jamey entered from the great room carrying a big platter of treats. Her smile conveyed mischief and promise. “It’s just us.”
His cock swelled as he took her in. She wore the boots he’d given her, and a short denim skirt that swayed when she moved. He liked her in her chef’s outfit, but loved it when she dressed up. The woman had a rock hard ass that begged to be palmed, and legs for days. His mouth watered seeing them bare like this.
The urge to lift her onto the counter so he could spread her wide and caress the silky tops of her thighs, the juncture of leg and pussy, propelled him to action. Not taking his eyes off her, he stepped in, pulling the door shut and locking it behind him. “Good.” He waggled his eyebrows at her questioning glance. “This way no one can surprise us.”
She laughed breathlessly and darted around the island. “Oh no you don’t, hotcakes. I’m still on clean up duty.”
“I’ll help.” He stalked around the other side of the island, and she sidestepped back, trying to keep the island between them.
Like that was going to divert him.
They circled the island, and when she was between the island and the sink, he stopped.
She bit her lip, eyes twinkling.
He bit back a groan, loving the way her teeth reddened her lower lip. A lip made for sucking and nipping.
“Brodie?” She spoke suspiciously, her voice going up at the end.
“Jamey?” He mimicked her perfectly.
Another nervous giggle escaped her. “What do you want?”
“You don’t know?”
She gave him a hot look while her tongue darted out to wet her lips. His cock jumped, pressing hard against his zipper. The looks she gave him could bring him to his knees.
Her gaze drifted down and she cracked a slow, knowing smile. She lifted a shoulder and rolled her lips together.
“If you’re a good girl,” he rasped. “I’ll give you two orgasms.”
Her eyes darkened rapidly. She wouldn’t hold out much longer.
“And if I’m naughty?” Her voice held a husky note of want.
He braced his hands on the island and leaned in. “If you’re naughty, then I’ll give you three orgasms and a spanking.”
Her eyes grew wide and her mouth opened slightly. She swallowed, her cheeks flushing pink. “Promise?” The quaver in her voice told him she was halfway to her first orgasm and he hadn’t even touched her.
“I guaran-damn-tee it.”
Keeping her eyes on him, she swiped a metal canister and sauntered slowly around the island. Holding up a finger, she tipped the canister upside-down and sprayed, forming a mound of whipped cream on her finger. Slowly, she brought her finger to her mouth, her tongue darting out to lick the tip.
Holy. Hell.
His
mouth went dry at the sight of her licking her finger like a goddamned lollipop. She dipped it fully into her mouth and, turning a scorching gaze on him, slowly pulled out her finger, finishing the gesture by licking the remaining cream off her lips.
All the blood in his body rushed to his cock. He fisted his hand on the counter to keep his knees from giving out. “Jesus, Jamey.”
“This kind of naughty?” She squeezed another dollop of cream onto her finger, repeating the motion.
Only one outcome would be hotter than her teasing him like this. He reached for her, but she stepped just out of distance, smirking and raising her chin. “Pants.”
Slowly, he brought his hand to his belt buckle, unhooking it. There was no mistaking the pure lust and anticipation written on her features. Heady stuff. In one smooth movement, he pulled down the zipper and thrust his jeans over his hips, springing his cock free.
Her gasp cut the heady silence.
God, her reactions fluffed his ego.
He raised an eyebrow, standing a little prouder. “Like what you see?”
She brought her attention to his jutting cock and slowly nodded, eyes gleaming with pure hunger. Her tongue darted out, wetting her lower lips in anticipation.
Brodie’s pulse quickened, throbbing in his temple.
She sank to her knees, glancing up at him through her lashes with a naughty smirk. Sticking out her tongue, she squirted a tiny amount of whipped cream onto the tip. He groaned and his cock twitched, desire settling like a hot stone in his balls. Still keeping her gaze riveted on him, she leaned forward and licked him, spreading the cream from root to tip.
His breath locked in his throat, the myriad of heady sensations practically blinding him. “Oh God, Jamey,” he hissed out when he could breathe again.
He wouldn’t last long at this rate. It felt too damned good. Better than when he’d imagined it. Somewhere in the back of his mind it registered she’d dropped the canister. One hand squeezed his ass while the other gently tugged the skin behind his balls. Meanwhile, her tongue kept lapping and swirling over his cock. He threaded a hand through her bright curls.
