Never Kiss an Exile: Exile Love Biker MC Series Book 1
Page 32
It was the Fourth of July and the town had prepared a wonderful firework show. Jacob laid out a blanket for me and helped me to sit, knowing that the size of my belly made it difficult for to get up and down. I smiled up at him and he settled behind me, pulling me to his chest. I blushed a little at the affection and smiled up at Jacob. He was rarely this physically affectionate in public.
“You’re very loving today,” I hummed, looking up at him, my gaze full of adoration.
He chuckled and cupped my cheek. “Isn’t that what you wanted?” he asked, looking down at me.
I smiled and nodded, sighing softly and kissing the tip of his chin. “I like it and I really appreciate everything you’ve been doing,” I said softly.
“It’s funny that you say that. I thought it was going to be something I would have to work at but it comes naturally with you,” he mused after a moment.
“It comes naturally?”
“You know about my mother,” he said.
I’d never told him about the conversation between me and Thomas, but Jacob and I had talked about his mother a lot since that first conversation. It was clear he loved and missed her dearly. It was rather sweet, in all honestly.
“Of course,” I said, tangling our fingers as other couples settled on blankets around us, wrapping their arms around each other.
“No having her around, I think it really affected the way I deal with women. I was mostly raised by my father and a few nannies. Everything was a business transaction so that’s how I thought all relationships were,” he admitted softly.
I frowned and squeezed his hand, encouraging him to talk. It was rare that he opened up to me like this. He put his hand on my belly.
“But then I met you and you changed everything,” he said with a smile. “I was so distant for so long because I was sure I would scare you away,” he said softly. “I did not want you to see me for who I really was because I felt so broken.”
I turned to face him, getting on my knees and cupping his cheeks gently. “I don’t think you’re broken,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to his. “I don’t think you’re broken at all.” I smiled softly as the fireworks shot into the sky behind us. “I think you have your flaws just like I do. I was so scared to become someone’s trophy wife. I was so afraid to succumb to all the things that a wife should be, that I never stopped to think that it could be so fulfilling,” I said softly. “I love being your wife,” I whispered.
The fireworks lit up his face and he reached up tangling his fingers gently in my hair, holding me close with his free hand. “I want to do this over, Rebecca,” he whispered, leaning close and letting his lips hover over mine. “I want to do this right.”
“What do you mean?” I whispered breathlessly.
“I never told you something,” he said, cupping my cheek. “It’s something I’ve been keeping buried inside because I’ve always been told that it makes a man weak if he admits it.”
My breath hitched in my throat and I let my eyes flutter open, meeting his steely gaze. “What is it?” I urged.
“I want you to know that I love you.”
My heart leapt in my chest and I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes. He sucked in a breath and laughed. “You can’t cry.”
“I can’t help it!” I choked out. “You make me so happy and I never thought I could feel happiness like this!” I said, my forehead pressed against his. “I thought that I was going to just settle, and I am so lucky that God led me to you,” I cried softly.
He held me close and stroked my cheek tenderly. “This is what love is and I promise, I swear to you I’m never going to keep you from happiness. I want you to do everything you ever dreamed of.”
I just smiled and wrapped my arms around him, leaning in close. “I think my dreams have changed. All I want is to be with you and raise our children and-“
He cut me off. I knew I was babbling but I could not help it. There was so much I wanted to say that I’d never imagined I’d be able to say. He silenced me with a kiss, his soft lips pressed against mine. I leaned into him, smiling into the kiss. Warmth filled every inch of my body and I could have sworn I was glowing under the soft moon light. I was sure that nothing could ruin this moment. I was on cloud nine and I knew that things were going to be okay. All of the fears I’d had in Charlotte were melting away in this kiss.
A flutter in my stomach did not seem abnormal. I was in love and this was more romantic than anything I’d ever read in those penny romances. I could only assume that I’d have butterflies. Within a few moments, however, those butterflies became much more intense and soon enough turned into a sharp pain that took my breath away. I gasped and doubled over, my eyes wide.
“Jacob, I need the doctor.”
Chapter Eight
When I demanded the doctor Jacob pulled away, looking at me more than a little concerned. “What? Why do you need a doctor?”
I gasped and pressed a hand to my belly, the roiling pain getting worse by the minute. “I think it’s the baby,” I whispered.
His eyes widened and he started to help me stand but I yelped and collapsed back into the grass. “I can’t walk!”
“You won’t have to,” he said simply, leaning down and picking me up bridal style.
I wrapped my arms around him as he hoisted me into the air, gasping. “I’m too heavy.” I was a rather small woman but at nine months pregnant I was heavier than I had once been and I was genuinely worried about Jacob hurting himself.
“Don’t worry about me darling,” he grunted, walking away from the firework display.
I gasped and cried out. “I’m not going to make it,” I whispered. “We’ll have to just…AH!”
An older woman ran over to us, holding an armful of towels. “Rebecca!” she called.
I turned my head and whimpered. It was the midwife and she seemed to realize exactly what was happening. “Kristine,” I whispered, reaching out to her. “I think the baby is coming.”
“How long have you been having pains?” she asked me quickly, urging Jacob to set me on the towel she was laying out.
“She can’t have the baby here!” Jacob said quickly. “We have to get her home!”
Kristine held her hand up, her eyes sharp and focused. This was her element and she knew exactly what she was doing. “This is not a coal mine, Jacob,” she said quickly. “I need you to let me do what I’m trained to do and hold her hand.
I always appreciated Kristine’s sense of urgency and her ability to control those around her. She was an intense woman and few were able to ignore her orders; Jacob was no exception. He kneeled and put my head in is lap, stroking my hair away from my face. The pain was unbearable at this point and a wetness was starting to spread underneath me.
“Her water has broken. The baby is coming,” she said quickly. “How long have you been in pain?” she urged again.
“I started having strange pains this morning but I did think-“
“Shhh child,” she whispered, pressing a finger to my lips “That’s enough. I understand,” she said simply.
A few other women began to gather round, holding up their blankets to make make-shift curtains that hid me from view. Luckily most people had enough respect to not crowd around, though I’d seen a few people glancing over at me curiously.
I looked up at Jacob, panting softly. “You should not be here,” I whispered, my eyes fluttering closed.
Most of the time men weren’t interested in witnessing the birth. It was a moment that was considered private and to have your husband with you while you gave birth was considered taboo. Then again, we did not seem to be a family that did things the way they were meant to be done.
“I’m not letting you do this alone,” he said gently, taking my hand.
My heart fluttered at the kind words but it quickly gave way to another wrenching pain. I gasped and curled up as the pain radiated down into my thighs. The world was spinning and the only thing keeping me grounded was Jacob.
The whole birthing process gave me time to think about myself as a mother. I had been so afraid of becoming a mother before I met Jacob. In my mind, motherhood seemed like a death sentence. I would have to give up all my dreams of adventure in order to take care of this tiny creature that depended on me. The entire concept was terrifying.
Now that I was face to face with mother hood, I found myself excited. Instead of it being a death sentence, I saw it as its own adventure. One that I would embark on with Jacob. He loved me and I wasn’t going to be alone.
As the fireworks went off around me, my head was turned skyward, my eyes taking in the brilliant light show. Between the fireworks, I heard a loud cry echo through the field. A soft heavy weight was placed into my arms and moments later I was handed my second child. The infants squirmed and wiggled in my arms, cooing in the most beautiful way.
I was panting and covered in sweat, looking up at Jacob with tears in my eyes. “Our babies,” I whispered.
His own eyes were wide and he reached out to touch the tuft of silvery blonde hair that stuck to the babies’ damp foreheads. “Those are my daughters,” he whispered. “I have daughters.” A grin spread across his face and he took his hat off, throwing it in the air in his excitement. “I have two beautiful baby daughters!” he called out.
From the other side of the curtain I could hear people hoot and holler, congratulating us. Another loud pop echoed through the field as the fireworks lit up the sky. Jacob looked down at me and grinned wildly.
“What should we name them?” he asked, brushing his finger over their pale, soft skin.
I smiled a little, gazing into their bright blue eyes. “Faith and Adore,” I whispered, touching their little palms.
Their tiny hands curled around my finger and in that moment I fell in love.
Chapter Nine
Before my mother passed away, she always told me to trust in God’s plan. I had always tried my best to follow that advice, though it wasn’t always easy, especially when you felt like your world was being ripped out from under you. As time went on, I’d started to question the idea that God had a plan for me at all. I tried to keep my faith, but as I started to lose more and more control, I found myself wondering why. Why would God let this happen?
I understand now. The road that led me to Jacob was rough and broken. The rivers were wide and hard to cross, but now that I was here, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My children and my husband were my entire world and I couldn’t have wanted more.
Shortly after the girls were born, Jacob became very interested in their education. He didn’t want them to be simply married off. He didn’t see his daughters as commodities and he certainly didn’t want them to marry the first man who proposed to them. He wanted them to be scientists and lawyers. He wanted the world for his baby girls and it made my heart swell with pride.
He used his influence and money to bring in teachers from Chicago and ended up building Boulder’s first real school. Up until the school opened, children were taught by their parents and received no formal education. Once the school opened up, people began flocking to our beautiful city.
Just as he promised, Jacob let me do as I pleased. My garden got bigger and bigger and soon enough it was one of the main food sources of the town. I had to hire several people to help me care for it, all women who’d come out to Boulder for the same reason I had.
When my garden became too large for me to manage on my own, I knew I would need something to busy myself with. Jacob was the one to suggest that I become a teacher at the school. He was always impressed with my knowledge of literature. I’d always been an avid reader and the idea of teaching my children and the children of my beloved town was something that warmed me to the depths of my soul. I took him up on his offer and soon became the first female school teacher in Boulder.
At first, people looked at us strangely. They asked Jacob how he could let his wife be a teacher. How was it affecting the children? We got many questions like this, but the best answer we could give them was to show how successful I was. The children loved my class and soon adults even came in to read the classics. I taught them to love words and love stories and in the process, I found my place in the world, something I never thought possible.
When one of the old churches was damaged in a tornado, we’d salvaged the bell and used it to ring in the beginning and end of school. The school bells rang and I looked up from the little wooden desk Jacob had made for me. Children ran down the hill toward home.
I packed up my worn copy of Dante’s Inferno and sighed, tucking it away as I started towards the door, rubbing my round belly. I was pregnant with our third child and Jacob was always harping on me to leave the school house behind until after the baby was born. He was just as worried about this pregnancy as he was the first. It was rather funny to me. Now that I’d had the twins, the idea of having one baby seemed like a breeze.
Like always, the girls and Jacob were waiting at the bottom of the hill. Adore and Faith were five years old now and growing every day. They’d only just begun attending classes, but that were sharp as tacks and picking everything up faster than their peers. I couldn’t help but be proud of my little geniuses.
The girls were munching on candy and Jacob stood between them, a hand on each shoulder. He smiled a little and caught my eye. Jacob had been a hard man once. He’d rarely smiled and saw emotions as a weakness. He’d always been about business and making the best deal. Now that his daughters were in the picture, he’d softened quite a bit and had a tendency to smile more often and shower his family with gifts.
“The girls thought it would be nice to come meet you and walk you home.”
I chuckled and offered each of them a kiss on the cheek before catching Jacob’s lips for a brief kiss. “Don’t play your little games. I know it was your idea. You haven’t let me walk home since we found out I was pregnant,” I teased.
He offered a crooked little grin and just shrugged. We tangled our fingers together, hanging onto one of the girls with each of our free hands and as we walked through the little town together I felt a swell of joy in my chest.
“I never thought my life would turn out like this,” I admitted, turning to look at my husband.
He raised a brow and turned to look straight ahead, clearing his throat. “Are you unhappy? Do you have regrets?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’m glad things got a bit out of control,” I admitted. “This isn’t a fate I would have chosen for myself and if it had been up to me, I never would have known this happiness.”
Jacob smiled and picked Adore up with ease, still hanging onto me with his other hand. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
I smiled and looked towards the sky as my mother’s words echoed in my mind.
‘Always trust in God’s plan.’
The End
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Mail Order Bride: Drusilla
Chapter One
The trees along Peach Tree Street had begun to bloom, and slowly the city of Atlanta was starting to rebuild. Sherman’s march to sea had spared little, but the people of Atlanta were determined and there were glimpses of the city’s former splendor.
Down at the end of Peach Tree Street was the home of Doctor Timothy Montgomery; all of the town folk called him Doctor Tim. Many say his was the first face they saw when they were born, and others say he is the last face you see when you’re about to meet your maker. He was dedicated to his patients and there at the office on the side of their home is where Silla grew up watching her father and wanting to be a doctor like him. True she had the best teacher and many of the good d
octor’s patients were comfortable with Silla taking care of them, but the state of Georgia their rules and one of them being women cannot be doctors. South had its decorum that said women were not doctors.
It was three years ago that an epidemic of pneumonia hit Atlanta. The hospital and clinics were filled and at Mrs. Montgomery’s insistence, the sick were moved into the home on Peach Tree Street and tended to by Silla. With Doctor Tim busy at the hospital, it wasn’t long before Mrs. Montgomery had started to show signs of the symptoms. She kept saying it was just a cold until one afternoon she passed out tending to her son. Jake had recovered but Louise Montgomery was not so lucky. Doctor Tim was at the hospital while his wife was slowly leaving this world. As Silla held her mother’s hand and promised she’d take care of Jake and her father, Louise Montgomery smiled and took her last breath.
Doctor Tim was inconsolable in the days that followed. His devotion to his Louise was his strength and now that rock that had grounded him for so many years was no longer there. It was Silla who had to care for the patients and as the epidemic passed it was clear that the good doctor was only a shell of what he was. He changed as the weeks turned into months, and the good doctor was home less and less. When he wasn’t at the hospital he was at the local bar, The Brass Ring. He wasn’t a drinking man but he had a problem with gambling and luck was not always in his favor. Many a time the good doctor would come home with empty pockets and Silla would have to get him in bed, only to hear him promise he’d never doing it again. Silla would hear him hours later in his room as he spoke to his Louise, taking comfort in talking to his memory of her. There were times Silla would stand at the doorway in tears knowing her father not only missed her mother, but blamed himself for not being there when she passed. As time dragged on Doctor Tim had found life without his wife was too lonely. Even though he still had his children, without Louise, Timothy just didn’t seem to want to go on. It was a dark stormy night on his way home from his rounds when his carriage turned over and he was thrown into the rain just in front of his home. Silla heard the crash and rushed into the street to her father’s side.. She cradled his head on her lap as he looked up at her.