The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance)

by Anne Marie Novark

  Many a night, Jessie sat in the big kitchen and watched Sarah Sue make pies and pastries. They'd laugh and talk and gossip. Those times were some of Jessie's favorites.

  She entered the café and spotted her friend through the kitchen window. "Hey there, darlin'," Sarah Sue said with a wave and a smile. "You're just in time. I have a peach cobbler in the oven. We'll have warm cobbler and ice cream in a few minutes. Come on back here."

  Jessie swallowed and shook her head. "I'll take a rain check on that. All I want is some soup, if you have any."

  Sarah Sue wiped her flour-dusted hands on her apron and pulled Jessie to the table sitting near the fridge. "You still feeling puny? You sit right here and I'll get you a bowl of potato soup. It'll soothe your stomach, I guarantee."

  "Thanks. I'd like that."

  Sarah Sue bustled around the large kitchen, opening the door of the stainless steel refrigerator, ladling a bowlful of soup and zapping it in the microwave. In no time flat, she set the steaming bowl in front of Jessie, with a sleeve of crackers and a tall glass of tea.

  "Eat up. Then I have a surprise for you."

  Jessie dipped her spoon in the soup and sipped it, making sure it wasn't too hot. The creamy liquid slid down her throat and settled in her agitated stomach, instantly making her feel better. "This is good. Just what I need."

  Sarah Sue sat down across from her. "I could tell you what you need, but since you're so sick, I'll wait until you're better."

  "It's okay. What do you think I need?"

  "A swift kick in the rear, that's what."

  Jessie's head jerked up and she stared at her friend. "Why would you say something like that?"

  Sarah Sue sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "Cameron McCade came in here today. He told me he asked you to marry him and you refused. I think you're sick in the head, darlin'."

  Jessie laid her spoon aside. "I believe you're right."

  "What were you thinking? You love that man to distraction, and he loves you. I can't believe you're giving up a lifetime of happiness and love just because you think you can't give that man babies."

  Rubbing her temples, Jessie sighed. "I'm so confused I think that's what's making me feel so sick. I don't want to disappoint Cameron by not giving him children, but like he said, I'm still disappointing him by not marrying him, because he wants me, needs me. And I need him, too." God, how she needed him.

  "Of course you need him," Sarah Sue said. "Didn't you tell me you were finished doing things you'd regret or feel guilty about?"

  "Yes, but--"

  Sarah Sue lifted a hand as if to ward off any argument. "Hear me out, Jessie. Do you regret making love with Cameron? You were confused about that, too. Remember? Are you sorry you slept with the man?"

  "No, I'm not, but--"

  "Do you love him?"

  "Yes, but--"

  "No buts. You love him. He loves you. Are you sorry you refused him? Do you regret that you won't be marrying him and living a full rich life with him? Adopting children and raising them, if need be? Don't you regret that?"

  "Yes! Okay, okay. Maybe I made a mistake."

  Sarah Sue reached across the table and patted Jessie's hand. "There's no maybe about it. It's not too late, darlin'. He wants you more than ever."

  "And I want him. But I'm scared." Scared spitless, in fact.

  Sarah Sue patted her hand again. "Scared he'll leave? Scared you'll lose him? Like you lost your mama and daddy and TR?"

  "Yes," Jessie whispered, realization suddenly dawning. "I'm scared to make the commitment. Scared to lay my heart open again."

  Squeezing her hand, Sarah Sue gave it a little shake. "You have to take risks, darlin'. Cameron's not going to leave you again. Hell, he uprooted his life to be near you. He's made the commitment. Why can't you? Wait right here. He left something in my office that he wanted me to give you."

  Jessie couldn't imagine what Cameron had done now. After the two deliveries of flowers, she didn't know what to expect.

  Sarah Sue came back into the kitchen carrying a small thin square package. "Here you go. Open it. I'm dying to know what's in it."

  Jessie held the package for a moment. Just like she'd been hesitant to open the envelopes that arrived with the flowers, she was hesitant to open the package.

  "Well, go ahead. Open it, why don't you?" Sarah Sue said.

  Jessie tore the paper and unwrapped a gold metal frame containing an old photograph. One taken seventeen years ago with a younger version of Jessie dressed in an ivory-colored prom dress looking dreamily up at her handsome escort wearing a black tuxedo and a baby-blue shirt. The photographer had caught the adoration and happiness Jessie remembered feeling that night.

  She traced the image of the younger Cameron with a trembling finger. She'd forgotten about the picture taken that night. Somehow, she'd never seen it before. After Cameron had left her and moved away, she'd been too upset to think of photographs or much of anything else.

  "Can I see?" Sarah Sue asked.

  Jessie blinked away tears and handed the picture to her friend.

  "Well, I'll be. That man has a romantic streak a mile wide. He told me about the flowers. And now this. You two made a mighty fine pair back then. Looks like you belong together, if you ask me. Is there a note in the wrappings?"

  Jessie dashed a hand across her eyes, then searched through the brightly colored paper. "No, there's nothing."

  Sarah Sue flipped the frame over. "Here's something."

  Jessie took the frame and removed the tiny envelope taped to the back. There was something hard inside.

  What in the world?

  With shaking hands, Jessie opened the envelope and removed a small card and a key. Her heart pounded in her chest and she had trouble breathing. She sat there, turning the key over and over and over.

  "Read the note, for crying out loud," Sarah Sue said.

  The card was upside down. Jessie turned it so she could read the words, written in the now familiar bold handwriting.

  You already hold the key to my heart and soul. You wouldn't accept my ring, but I hope you accept this gift. Here's the key to something I hold dear, but not nearly as dear as I hold you. Hope you enjoy the car. Love always, Cameron.

  P.S. It's parked behind the café.

  Jessie laughed and cried and held the key against her own rapidly thumping heart.

  "What is it?" Sarah Sue demanded. "What is that key to?"

  "His Jaguar. He gave me his Jag."

  "Good God, he's as crazy as you are. Crazy about you, too. You need to quit this foolishness, darlin', and put that man out of his misery and tell him that you'll marry him."

  "I can't accept the car. Can I?" Could she?

  Sarah Sue nodded. "You can if you marry him. Are you going to marry him?"

  Jessie looked at the note again, then at the key, then at the old photograph. Suddenly, she felt better than she had in months. "Yes, I am. I'm going to marry Cameron McCade!"

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cameron paced around the living room of his new home, wondering how Jessie would react to this latest surprise. He wondered if she'd even gone to Sarah Sue's tonight. She didn't stop at the café every night of the week, after all.

  And he wondered what her reaction would be when she found the Jag parked behind the café. Would she be angry? Or would she finally believe he wanted her more than anything he'd ever wanted in his life? By giving her the Jag, he hoped she'd get it through her stubborn brain that he was serious about wanting to marry her and spend his life with her by his side.

  The sound of a powerful engine pulling into his driveway made him smile. He hoped like hell she had changed her mind, because he was fast running out of ideas to convince her that he loved her and needed her.

  He went to the door, opened it and waited for Jessie to climb out of the car. He'd told her in the note that she held the key to his heart and soul, but she also held the key to his future happiness. Which would it be? A lifetime
of love? Or the prospect of a bleak lonely existence?

  Jessie ran up the walk and flung herself at Cameron, wrapping her arms around his neck, laughing and crying and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.

  The heaviness in his heart lifted and he hugged her tightly, returning her kisses, loving the feel of her in his arms, inhaling her sweetness.

  "Oh my God, Cameron! I can't believe you would give me your Jag. And all those flowers. And the notes." She sniffed and touched her fingers to his cheeks. "And the prom picture. I'd never seen it before, you know. Did Ruth have it stashed away somewhere? I'm surprised she didn't give me a copy years ago."

  He clasped her fingers with his. "I never showed it to Mom," he said, kissing each finger in turn.

  Her breath hitched at the intimate contact. "And you've kept it all these years?"

  He pulled her closer and kissed her gently. "I took it with me when I left for college. I tucked it away in a book for safe keeping with all the moving I was doing. I hadn't seen it since grad school. I found it when I was unpacking some of my things a couple of weeks ago--Hey, where are you going?"

  Jessie wiggled out of Cameron's arms and held out the keys to the Jaguar. He just stared at them, not making a move to take them. Was she refusing him again?

  "You don't need to give me your car," she said. "I know how much it means to you."

  "Not as much as you mean to me, Jess. I--"

  She held up her hands to keep him at bay. "Please let me finish. The car is a lovely gesture, but the prom picture is the best gift of all, better than the flowers. If the offer's still good, I'd like to take you up on it."

  "Of course, the offer's still good." He grabbed her waist and pulled her into his embrace again. "I love you so much, Jess." He touched her cheek and kissed her again, loving how well they fit together. Relieved that she'd finally agreed to be his wife.

  Jessie's lungs constricted; something invisible squeezed her mid-section. She wanted Cameron with all her heart, but there were issues to discuss. She had to make perfectly certain. She tried to pull away, but his arms tightened around her, and he deepened the kiss.

  After giving in for a heart-pounding moment, Jessie pushed at his chest and broke contact. "Please let me go, Cameron."

  "I'm never letting you go again," he said, holding her close. "When I left Salt Fork, I had only one regret. Do you know what it was?"

  She searched his face. "No, what?"

  "Leaving you behind." He kissed her to ease the sting of the memory. "Even then, I knew there was something special and powerful between us. It scared the hell out of me. I couldn't stay. I had to get away. I had made my plans."

  Jessie nodded. "I remember. I had a different future mapped out for myself, too. When Dad got sick, everything changed."

  "I know, sweetheart. It must have been damned difficult. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm sorry I ever left you." Cameron smoothed the wisps of hair from her face. "I'm here now and we're together. We'll make up for lost time, I promise."

  Jessie bit her lip. "What about your brother?"

  Cameron hugged her. "What about him?"

  "I leased the mineral rights on the ranch, remember? Dallas hates me and may never forgive me. And he isn't speaking to you. If we marry, he may never speak to you again."

  "Dallas will get over it. We're too close and there's too much between us for him to stay angry forever. I want to marry you. Say you want to marry me, too."

  Jessie's heart ricocheted in her chest as she hugged Cameron and kissed him again. Now, she was afraid because everything she'd ever wanted had suddenly come true. She was still afraid it might disappear just as quickly.

  Cameron lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs. Jessie laughed again and looped her arms around his neck. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

  "I need more than kisses. We need more than kisses. We need a bed."

  Reaching his bedroom, he laid her on the mattress and followed her down. He started to kiss her, then pulled back and frowned.

  "What's wrong?" Jessie asked, luxuriating in the feel of Cameron's weight bearing down on her.

  "You haven't said yes," he said, his blue eyes gazing into hers.

  Her tummy fluttered in response. "What do you mean?"

  "I've asked you to marry me, and you haven't given me your answer." He brushed his hand across Jessie's soft hair. "I'm asking you again, Jess. Will you marry me?"

  As long as she lived, she'd never get over thrill of being with this man. Smiling, Jessie kissed him. "Yes, Cameron. Definitely yes!"

  ****

  A few hours later, Jessie lay snuggled against Cameron, her head on his shoulder, her leg thrown across his lower body. Happiness bubbled inside her.

  A low chuckle deep in his chest vibrated against her ear. Raising herself on one elbow, she looked at him. "What's so funny? Why are you laughing?"

  Cameron grinned. "I was just thinking how happy my mother is going to be."

  Jessie lay back down. "You mean because you're finally putting your bachelor days behind you and getting married?"

  "There's that, of course," he said with a nod. "But I was thinking more about the mineral rights."

  Jessie raised up again. "What about the mineral rights?"

  He chuckled. "When I came home that first time in October, Mom and Dallas told me about everything, how Copper River Oil was snooping around, and how you owned some of the mineral rights on the Diamondback Ranch--"

  "Get to the point, Cameron."

  "You know what my mother is," he said with amusement.

  "Yes, she's a delightful fluff-head," Jessie answered fondly.

  "Exactly. And you of all people know how much Dallas wants the mineral rights back in the family?"

  "How could I ever forget?" She wrinkled her nose at the thought of all the confrontations with Dallas McCade in the past and maybe even a few in the not-so-distant future.

  Cameron gave her a little squeeze. "Well get this: Mom had the bright idea that I should marry you, and then the whole mess would be solved. She'd have a daughter-in-law, the prospect of more grandkids, and as an added bonus, the mineral rights would be back in the family."

  Cameron laughed again. "She'll be so happy and pleased with herself. It won't take long for her to believe she arranged this whole thing."

  Jessie could just imagine Ruth feeling like that. Feeling glad about them marrying. But she wouldn't be glad about not getting any more grandchildren. Then another thought flashed unbidden in her mind.

  Jessie pushed away and sat up. A sinking sensation burned in the pit of her stomach as that unwelcome thought expanded.

  "Cameron?"

  "What is it, sweetheart?" He slid his hands down her body, loving the feel of her beneath his fingers.

  "If I marry you--" she began.

  "If?" His hands stopped their exploration.

  "Won't I be breaking my promise to TR? The mineral rights will be back in your family. I can't break my promise. I gave him my word." She sat back on her knees, her lips trembling.

  Cameron wiped a tear from her cheek. "You are going to have to stop thinking of all these obstacles that could keep us from being together. Don't you want to marry me?"

  "Of course I do. But a promise is a promise."

  "Look, you promised TR you wouldn't sell the mineral rights to Dallas. You're not selling. We'll put the damn things in a trust for our kids. That will satisfy your promise and appease my brother."

  "You're forgetting I can't get pregnant."

  Cameron sighed. "If you're really unable to have children, then we'll adopt, like I told you before. There are many, many children in foster homes who need someone to love and take care of them. We could love and take care of a few, couldn't we, Jess? They'd be ours, no matter how they came into this world. I know you'll make a wonderful mother."

  Cameron leaned over and opened the drawer in the bedside table. He pulled out the black velvet box and snapped it open, retrieving the d
iamond ring she'd refused on Valentine's Day. He took her left hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. Jessie felt as if he were searching her very soul.

  Silently, he slid the ring on the third finger of her left hand. The diamond glittered with a fire of its own, reminding Jessie of the fire burning in Cameron's eyes whenever he looked her way. Reminding her of the fire that burned between them, the fire that had always burned between them.

  "With this ring," he said, his voice low and intense, "I want to make you my wife. I want you to be the mother of our children, no matter where they come from." He kissed the ring, then turned her hand over and kissed her palm. He twined his fingers with hers. "What do you say, Jess? Are you with me on this?"

  Jessie nodded and felt tears gather in her eyes. For the first time, she really believed what Cameron had been trying to tell her all along. It didn't matter to him if she couldn't give him a child. He loved her and wanted to spend their lives together.

  He squeezed her hand. "What do you say, sweetheart?"

  Jessie smiled and launched herself against him. All was right with her world again. "I love you, Cameron McCade. I've loved you forever and ever."

  Cameron held her in his arms, close to his heart. "It's about time you told me, Jess. It's about damned time you told me."

  ****

  For the next couple of days, Jessie floated on a cloud of happiness. She'd practically moved in with Cameron already. They'd told Ruth they were getting married and as predicted, Cameron's mother was ecstatic over the news.

  Jessie had come into work early today and was under Joe Montoya's truck changing the oil, when she heard footsteps coming close. For one heart-pounding minute, she thought it might be Cameron, then immediately thought better. He'd be busy at the clinic this morning.

  "Need some help with that?" Sam asked, squatting near her.

  Jessie scooted from underneath the pickup. "Yeah, I can't make the plug budge. You give it a try, will you?"

  She stood up and suddenly fell backward. Sam caught her before she hit the cement floor.

  Jessie leaned against the truck, her head spinning crazily.