Love on the Horizon (A Northern Woods Novel)

by Roberts, Charliann

  “We’ve already been married. We took care of it immediately when we arrived in the U.S. She said she wouldn’t mind if we didn’t have a large ceremony. She was anxious to be my wife as soon as possible.”

  “Oh? And she didn’t take your name?”

  “No, she wanted to keep her own so hers would be the same as her son’s. I’ll adopt him eventually and then she’ll change their name to mine.

  “What’s the problem?” Jake asked, as a muscle quivered at his jaw.

  “Jake, you know better than that.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  Nick clenched his mouth tighter. He looked Jake directly in the eye and he said, “I enter my office to find a stranger sitting behind my desk. No one is allowed in here without my presence. Art and I are the only people to sit behind this desk. I thought you understood that, Jake. You’ve found yourself a beautiful woman, but I don’t know her. Hell, for that matter, neither do you.”

  “So does this mean I’m fired?” Jake asked. He looked at him uncertainly.

  “Hell no! You’re one of my best men out there. I want to make sure this doesn’t happen again. I repeat, no one is to enter this office without my presence.

  “Now, I assume you plan to head back home after you’ve introduced them to your co-workers?”

  “Well, I thought maybe they could go in and visit with Mariah for a while. I didn’t want to leave them alone. Her translator couldn’t make it in today, after this storm.”

  Nick leaned back; with his arms spread out on his desk, he fit his fingers together and shook his head. “I told you to hold off until the weekend, Jake. First of all Mariah hasn’t been feeling well. Then there’s Anya and her son and the fact that they don’t even speak English. Neither Mariah nor Nicky would understand them. You need to hire a tutor. If they want to live in America, they have to learn our language.”

  “But she’s able to express herself, Nick. She has a very special way about her that makes you able to interpret what she’s saying.”

  “That’s just it, Jake. She has to learn how to understand you, not you having to learn to understand her. I really need you here Jake, with Art out and all. Take them home, find someone to be with them tomorrow and come back on your own. That would be best for everyone. Maybe you’ll be able to find a tutor to stay with them, to coach them throughout the day while you’re working.”

  Nick rose from his chair and held out his hand.

  Jake straightened his shoulders and stood to shake, then pushed his hands deep into his pockets and stared blankly across the room. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Okay, now go and collect your new family, take them back to their new place of residence. Enjoy the day, and we’ll see you in the morning.

  “Oh, and one more thing.”

  Jake stopped in the doorway and turned around, “Yeah?”

  “Welcome home.”

  Chapter Eleven

  When they returned home, Jake could see that Anya had a hard time understanding why she wasn’t able to meet Mariah and stay for a visit while he went to work.

  “Anya, Mariah is pregnant. Do you understand me?” Jake made a rounded figure with his hands to show Anya what he was trying to say.

  “Pregnant?” she asked. “Like I?” She pointed at Zak.

  “Yes, Mariah is pregnant. Nick told me she’s not feeling well right now. We will visit them over the weekend.”

  “Nick not like us?”

  “Oh yes, honey. He was just worried about Mariah because they found that she’s carrying twins.” He held up two fingers and pointed them at Anya’s stomach. Anya nodded, although Jake didn’t think she actually understood anything he said.

  “Okay,” she mumbled sadly and looked down at her hands.

  “No one like me here,” she whispered, and a tear ran down her cheek.

  “Yes they do, sweetheart. They all enjoyed meeting you.” He wiped the tear away with his thumb and kissed her cheek. “Please don’t cry. He told us to visit them on Saturday. Then you’ll meet Mariah, and Zak will meet little Nicky.”

  “Okay,” she mumbled sadly. When she raised her eyes to Jake’s, she smiled.

  “Nick said we’d be very busy at work because Art had an accident. I have to go to work tomorrow. I called a teacher and she said she would come to stay with you, to teach you how to speak English. Do you understand me? She said she would stay with you all day to teach you. She’ll be with you until I come home from work.”

  “Yes. English,” she answered and nodded her head quickly.

  “Zak, you must remain here at home for a while too, until you learn to understand your teacher when you go to school. You need to study hard, to catch up. Okay?”

  “Yes. English,” Zak said.

  It sounded as though he only copied what his mother said and didn’t understand anything Jake told him.

  “Now, what would you like for supper? Should we go out for a pizza to celebrate your new home? Do you like pizza?”

  “I cook for you,” Anya said with a smile. “I cook you surprise.”

  “Okay, sweetheart. If you can’t find something you need, let me know.”

  Anya smiled at him and nodded her head. “I cook.”

  “If you need me, I’ll be in the living room with Zak.”

  Jake turned the television on and showed him how to use the remote. Zak sat on the couch quietly and watched Star Wars. Jake knew he didn’t understand what they were saying, but Zak sat and watched it carefully. He paid close attention to what the people were doing.

  “Food ready now,” Anya called out from the kitchen.

  “Okay, honey. Come, Zak. Let’s go see what your mother made for our dinner.”

  They entered the kitchen and found that Anya made hamburgers and fried potatoes. Jake tried to act surprised, although he had smelled the sizzling beef throughout the house when she prepared it.

  Anya smiled at him. “You like burgers, yes?” she asked.

  “Yes, this is one of my favorite dinners, Anya. Thank you very much.” He smiled as he pulled out a chair for Anya.

  Jake sat at the end of the table with Anya to the left of him and Zak to his right.

  “I hope you like. Zak like burgers,” she said.

  Jake took a bite. He smiled at her, and then he tried the fried potatoes. “These are very good, Anya. You know how to cook well. Thank you. You made a delicious dinner.”

  Anya smiled and watched him eat.

  “Aren’t you going to eat?” He pointed at Anya and then at her plate of food. She only smiled. She watched him for a few minutes, then finally picked up her burger and began to dig in.

  Jake watched as Anya and Zak chewed their food with their mouths open and ate very quickly. He would have to teach them table manners before taking them out to a restaurant to eat, he thought. Evidently, they had no table manners where they came from.

  When they finished their dinner, Anya cleared the table and stacked the dishes in the sink. Zak went to his room to read his book that he brought from Russia.

  “I do dishes later, Jake. We go to bed now?”

  “Yes, I have to get some sleep. I have to get up very early in the morning.”

  “We go now?”

  “Okay sweetheart. We go now.” He smiled and put an arm around her. “You get ready and I’ll be right in.” She nodded with a mischievous smile and hurried into the master bedroom.

  Jake checked the locks on the doors and turned the lights off on his way down the hallway. He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He looked over at the bed, where Anya waited. She was lying across the bed sheets, dressed in a white and very sexy see-thru negligee.

  He smiled at her. “Let me jump in the shower, honey. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He threw her a sweet smile, then hurried into the bathroom and closed the door.

  When he returned to the bedroom, she was waiting with open arms. He stood at the foot of the bed and admired her.

  �
�You are so beautiful, my sweet Anya.”

  He walked over to the side of the bed where he removed his robe and slid onto the satin sheets she’d purchased this morning. He moved closer to her, took her into his arms and snuggled his face into her baby-soft and silky hair. Her nipples were taut beneath the thin fabric of her gown and her breasts tingled against his hair-roughened chest. He undressed her slowly, worshipfully, and she gasped as he lowered his body over hers. She writhed beneath him, eager to touch his skin, and his tormented groan was a heady invitation.

  She gasped in sweet agony and he freed in her a burst of sensations. The flames of passion burned within both of them, and sweetly drained all of her doubts and fears.

  He held her face in his hands and whispered, “I love you Anya. I love you so much.”

  At last, reluctantly, they parted, and she relaxed, sinking into his cushioning embrace. Her head fit perfectly in the hollow between his shoulder and neck, and they both fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Christmas had come and gone too quickly. Mariah boxed up the decorations for another year of storage. She looked over at Nicky. He wore his new cowboy hat while he rode on the extra-large rocking horse, his Christmas present from grandma and grandpa. She smiled as she watched him. Such a happy child, what a pure blessing he has been. She hoped the twins take after him; it appears he’ll set a good example.

  As she closed and taped the final box, Nick entered the house, bringing the blustery cold wind along with him.

  “Hi Daddy, I’m riding my horse.”

  “I see that, cowboy, and you’re handling him just like a pro.”

  Mariah placed her hands on her lower back and sat down on the couch with a sigh.

  Nick frowned and looked down at her. “You look as though you’re overdoing it honey,” he said with concern.

  “You worry too much. I’m no different than any other woman carrying twins.”

  “Well don’t move those boxes. I’ll move them up to the attic. Right now, you put your feet up, and I’ll make the three of us some soup and sandwiches.”

  “Okay, I’ll let you pamper me. Before long, I won’t have time to sit back and relax.”

  When he placed the food on the table, he went into the living room only to find that Mariah had fallen into a deep, relaxing sleep. Nicky was sitting on the floor with his new set of trucks and tractors. He looked up and saw Nick put his forefinger to his lips and motioned for him to come and eat. “Shhh… we’ll let mommy sleep, cowboy,” and he held out Nicky’s bib.

  It was Saturday, and Nick had most everything completed outdoors. He thought he’d spend the day with Nicky, so Mariah would be able to rest.

  When they finished eating, he smiled and looked at Nicky. “Come on, cowboy, let’s go outside and make a snowman.”

  “Goody!” Nicky ran to retrieve his snowsuit from the chair in the laundry room. Nick finished zipping up the front, tied a warm scarf around his neck, and Nicky pulled on his boots and mittens, when Nick noticed a worried look across his face.

  “What’s the matter, cowboy?”

  “I have to go potty, Daddy.”

  “Oh boy, are you sure?”

  He nodded with a frown. “Mommy always asks me first, before we put my snowsuit on.”

  “Okay, sport,” he answered and removed the clothing. No wonder mothers are so worn out. They deserve a lot more than they’re given credit for.

  The fresh white flakes sparkled like glitter. Father and son had fun tossing snow at one another before building their snowmen. An hour later, they stood back and admired them, a daddy, mommy and their little boy, facing the living room window.

  “Mommy will wonder who these people are, won’t she Daddy?”

  “Oh, she’ll know who they are. The little one looks just like you.”

  “He does?”

  “Sure he does. We’d better get you in the house before you freeze your nose off.”

  “Then I’d look more like him, huh?” he giggled.

  “Yes, you certainly would. Now let’s get inside and check on your momma.”

  * * *

  Early Sunday afternoon Nick was in the laundry room, helping Mariah fold clothes when he heard a knock at the door. He looked out the window and there stood Jake, Anya and Zakhar.

  “Mariah, prepare yourself,” he said softly over his shoulder. “We have company.”

  He opened the door with a smile and motioned them in with the sweep of his arm.

  “Hi Nick. We were out for a Sunday drive and thought we’d stop by to say hello. Anya and Zak would like to meet Mariah and Nicky, if that’s all right with you. We decided to call Zakhar by the nickname of Zak,” he added. “It’s a lot easier for people to remember.”

  “Hello, Anya… Zak,” Nick said, and nodded at each of them.

  “Hello,” Anya answered politely. She nudged Zak with her elbow.

  “Hello,” Zak said shyly.

  Mariah and Nicky came into the living room. Mariah smiled and held out her hand.

  Anya took it in hers. “Hello,” she said softly.

  “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” Mariah said. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “That would be nice,” Jake answered quickly. They removed their coats, and Nick hung them on the coat rack before they sat down at the kitchen table. Anya was wearing a pair of tight-fit jeans and a soft angora sweater with a low-cut neckline. She appeared to be one who loves to pamper herself.

  Mariah poured coffee for the adults and milk for the boys. “Would anyone care for some Christmas cookies? Nicky helped me bake them this week, didn’t you honey?” She smiled at him, and he nodded with a grin.

  Anya smiled and answered, “Yes, please.”

  Jake looked over at Nick. “She’s been working very hard on her English and so has Zak.”

  “That’s good news. It’ll make it a lot easier for them to associate with people everywhere they go.” He glanced over at Anya and noticed that she had been staring at him the entire time they’d been conversing. When Mariah sat next to him, he placed his arm around her shoulders.

  When they’d finished their coffee Jake stood and said, “We’d better be going, Anya. We don’t want Mariah to become too worn out.” Anya smiled and stood from the table.

  While the adults were talking, Nicky had led Zak to his room to show him his toys.

  Nick went into the bedroom and found them playing with Nicky’s trucks, which covered the entire floor. “You’re going to be leaving now, Zak. I’ll help Nicky put everything away later.”

  The boys stood and Zak looked at Nick with a smile. “Thanks,” he said, and Nick led them to the door.

  Nick helped his son clean up his bedroom, then returned to the kitchen, removed his watch, and assisted Mariah with the dishes.

  “I think Anya is a very sweet woman, don’t you?” When he didn’t answer, she added, “Could you at least try to give her a chance, Nick? She seemed as though she’d been making an effort. It’s probably quite difficult for her, with no one around who speaks her language.” She looked up at him when he still didn’t respond.

  Nick stared out the window over the sink. He didn’t hear a word she said. He was deeply concerned of the way Anya had been staring at him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Seven months into her pregnancy, Mariah was no longer able to drive. Bess used Mariah’s car to take Nicky to preschool.

  One afternoon, Mariah had been napping when Bess went to pick Nicky up from school. Anya drove up to the house. She’d finally passed her driver’s test after her third attempt. To reward her, Jake purchased a second car, allowing her the freedom to visit places on her own.

  She knocked on the door, and when no one answered, she assumed Mariah wasn’t home. With a smile, she got back in her car and headed over to the stable. Jake told her earlier that he’d be out on a run to Huntington for supplies today.

  Anya parked next to the barn and climbed out, tigh
tened the belt on her black-leather coat and pulled up the warm hood. The fur lining close to her face protected her delicate skin from the frigid wind. Her boots covered her legs to her knees and met with the hem of her long winter coat. She smiled and headed toward the stable. She walked in, looked both ways, and tried to remember where the office was located. At the sound of country music coming from the east side, she turned in that direction and followed the voice of Reba McEntire.

  The door was slightly ajar, and she could see Nick doing paperwork at his desk. She tapped lightly and stepped inside. “Hi Nick,” she said softly.

  Nick looked up and saw Anya leaning back against the door frame.

  “Hello Anya. Jake went to Huntington to pick up supplies. He isn’t due to return for an hour or so. I’ll let him know you stopped by.” When he noticed the look on her face, he wondered whether she even understood him.

  “Oh, okay. I can wait?” she asked. Her curved and parted lips turned into a smile. He watched as she purposely bumped into the door, while she removed her arms from her coat. When it fell open, Nick understood exactly what this woman was up to. She appeared before him wearing a pair of black leather knee-high boots with six-inch heels, a sexy black leather mini dress with a laced-up front, which began at her diamond-studded navel, leading to her firm, very enticing breasts.

  Fury almost choked him when he stood. His face twisted in anger, as he moved quickly from behind his desk, picked up her wrap from the floor and tossed it at her.

  “Get out of here,” he responded sharply.

  His seething reply caught her off guard, and he could see she wasn’t accustomed to a man turning away from her.

  She laughed to cover her annoyance then lifted her chin, to meet his icy gaze.

  “You will not tell Jake of this,” she replied in a low voice.

  “Put your coat on and leave. Now!” he spat in anger. He gave her a brutal, unfriendly stare.

  She pushed her arms into her sleeves, tied the belt tightly and hurried out the door. Art was about to knock while he leaned on his cane, when Anya came flying out of the office, knocking it from his hand.