Saved by the Rancher (20 page)

Humbled, he understood exactly what she’d done for him. She was right, the ranch made a nice profit, but he didn’t know what would happen if he were gone. Future generations. He wanted there to be future generations stretching into time, starting with them.

He couldn’t believe she’d made it this easy for him to ask her for . . . everything.

“Will you help me fulfill this trust?” Her gaze moved from the papers in his hands up to meet his eyes.

She knew what he was asking. Children. Provide the next generation. After losing her baby, Jenna had a hard time thinking there would ever be another. Looking at Jack, she wanted it all, to win the brass ring. With Jack, it seemed so easy to grasp. “Yes.”

“Good, let’s go upstairs and start.” He kissed her palm, then draped her arm over his shoulder and leaned in to take her mouth.

“Jack, Summer and Caleb are here. Knock it off. Sign the damn papers.”

He kissed her again, silencing her protest. The kiss was long and slow with his hand on her neck, holding her to him. She melted, and only then did he pull back. He did sign the papers. “With my signature, you just agreed to give me everything I’ve ever wanted and never thought I’d have.”

Choked up, she could only lean in and kiss him softly to seal the bargain. It felt very much like the promise made at a wedding.

Jack hadn’t considered one thing. She decided to give him a hint and see if he ran with it. After all, one good deed deserves another. She hoped Jack would get the hint.

“Jack, you understand that the trust pays off all the land and buildings, right?” She crooked her head in the direction of Summer and Caleb.

He got what she was saying right away, his eyes went bright with excitement. “Yes, I see what you mean. You did do some snooping, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did, but only in the hope my good deed would allow you to do a good deed. It’s within your power. You own the land and all the buildings on it.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Summer asked confused by their convoluted discussion.

Not only did Jenna make it possible for him, and generations to come, to have his land, she’d made it possible for him to give his sister and brother-in-law a gift in return, a piece of that land.

“What Jenna is saying is right, I own all the land and buildings on it. That includes your home. You guys borrowed the money from me to build the house, and part of Caleb’s salary goes toward paying for the house. Jenna paid off the loan.”

“So part of my salary will continue to pay you for the house and you’ll get to keep the money,” Caleb said. “You’ll be making a profit instead of paying off the loan you took at the bank for us. We agreed we’d buy the house from you. We hope to live there the rest of our lives and raise our family.”

“That’s true, I could do that,” Jack agreed. “What Jenna pointed out is that I now have the ability to do the same thing she did. She gave me the land that’s mine, now I’m giving you the house and land that is yours.”

Summer tried to follow. “What do you mean you’re giving us the land that is ours? The ranch belongs to you, Jack. You bought it from Mom and Dad when they decided to go off and see the world. You run the ranch, with Caleb’s help, of course, but the ranch is yours.”

“The ranch is mine, free and clear now, it appears. So I can do with it as I please. I’m giving you the house and the land it’s on. You and your children for generations will have your home. Caleb will bring home every cent of his salary. No more payments. Jenna gave me a gift, now I’m giving you a gift.”

“Oh my God, Jack.” Summer’s tears streamed down her cheeks.

“That’s more than generous. We’d be happy to continue paying for the house. You don’t have to do this,” Caleb said, stunned.

“You’re my best friend, and she’s my sister. Thanks to Jenna, I can give you something I would have liked to give you in the first place. She’s right, you know. What would you do if you had that much money? I’d make sure the ones I love had the things they needed and wanted. That’s the gift she’s given us.”

He reached out and touched Jenna’s cheek, brushing his fingers over her smooth skin. “You are the most amazing person I’ll ever know. I can see it isn’t the money for you. You did this because you love us. Without the money, you’d have shown us in another way.”

Uncomfortable talking about love when their relationship was so new, she went around the subject. “The money is just a bonus. It only provided the means for me to make sure
you
had the things you needed and wanted. You made that love grow even more when you transferred that kindness to your sister and Caleb. You didn’t have to give them their home, but you did. Kindness, Jack. You have it in spades.”

“I’m overwhelmed. You did all of this in a couple days. Amazing,” Summer said, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Ben is an outstanding lawyer. I’ve also made him a rich man over the years. Time for him to really earn it. He worked like a dog getting this ready for me. Summer, I know you’re overwhelmed right now. I want you to take care of yourself. You said earlier that this was life changing, and it is, for all of you. There’s one other thing Jack just gave you, which you haven’t considered. Caleb’s salary will more than double now that you don’t have a mortgage payment. You can work only if you want to. You can stay home with Lily and . . .” She nodded to Summer’s belly. Lily still didn’t know about the baby. She didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

Summer glanced at Jack, who nodded at her, then she turned to her husband. He smiled, then kissed her softly. “It’s all we’ve ever dreamed.”

“How can we ever thank you, Jenna, Jack? You’ve truly changed our lives for the better. Summer and I won’t have to pinch pennies, she can stay home if she wants, and the kids will have all the money they need to go to college. It’s hard to believe all our worries are gone. Thanks just doesn’t seem enough.”

“Your friendship is thanks enough for me.” Jenna stood and hugged the two of them. Lily continued to play on the floor with her dolls, oblivious her life had changed, her bundle of flowers next to her.

“Jenna’s right, you’re my family. The six of us are a family, and hopefully,” he locked eyes with Jenna, “we’ll add to our family very soon.”

Jenna firmed her resolve to finish her business with her ex-husband. She’d never risk the lives of any of her and Jack’s children. Despite the fact things with Jack were so new, she thought of nothing but having Jack’s baby. Nothing would make her happier. She wanted to start that future, so ready to have a real life, a normal life. One free of David for good.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

T
HEY FINISHED THE
evening off with cherry pie and vanilla bean ice cream. Jack opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate the good fortune Jenna had bestowed on them. Such a magical day, Jenna was feeling much better now that everything was out in the open.

Summer took Lily home to bed, but not before she cried and hugged Jenna, thanking her profusely for changing their lives. A little after eight, Jenna was already tired after such a long day. Her thigh hurt from all the walking and the high heels she had bought to go with the new dress.

Jack and Caleb stood in the driveway, the cars’ engines revving, and talked about their new toys. The lights from the porch spilled down to them. Jenna stood, leaning against the post, watching, enjoying seeing their bond and appreciation of the cars.

“Boys with toys.” She smiled from the top step. “You guys look happy.”

“What’s not to be happy about? These are the coolest cars ever,” Caleb said with the exuberance of a teen with his very own custom hot rod.

“You owe me a ride, Jack.”

“Honey, I aim to give you the ride of your life as soon as this one goes home to his wife.” Jack gave her a wicked grin and closed the hood of his car.

Jenna laughed and smiled. “You have a one-track mind.” When was the last time she felt this light?

“Honey, my mind hasn’t been off you since I saw you in the diner.”

“I got the hint. I’m going.” Caleb closed the hood of his car, still purring like a really big kitten. He walked over to Jenna as she came down the porch steps to the gravel drive. He wrapped his arms around her, careful of her healing back, and she wrapped hers around him. So easy to do now that she’d opened herself to him, the whole family.

He bent and whispered into her ear, “Thank you. Thank you for what you gave to my wife, my children, and me. I’ll never be able to repay you. If you ever need me, I’ll be there for you, no matter what. You can count on me. You’re an angel, an absolute angel.”

“Get your hands off my woman. You have one of your own at home.”

Jack watched his brother-in-law with Jenna. They’d created a close bond, the same as with his sister. She didn’t shy away from him when he embraced her; instead she held him and drew on his strength. Caleb would be like a big brother to her. He would protect her.

Caleb drew Jenna away just enough to look into her eyes. He put his hand to her cheek, his other arm still wrapped around her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Caleb. You’re a good man.”

“You make me want to be a better one.”

“I just want you and your family to have a happy life.”

“We will, thanks in part to you and Jack. You’re part of that family now, too. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re a wonderful person. The best I’ve ever met.” He kissed her cheek and released her, turning back toward Jack.

“I already punched you for kissing my sister. I guess I have to punch you for kissing her now, too,” Jack teased. Caleb didn’t rise to the bait.

“You hurt her, and I’ll be the one throwing the punches.” He smiled back at Jack, then walked over and gave him a big bear hug. “Thanks for what you did for me, Summer, and the kids. It means everything to us. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smacked Jack on the back before getting into his car. Caleb revved the engine, beamed them an excited smile, and took off like a rocket toward home.

“You going to hurt me, Jack?”

“Not if I can help it. I’ll spend the rest of my life and yours trying to make you happy. How’s that sound?”

“Like heaven. Take me for a ride.”

He raised his eyebrow and grinned, but decided to give her a break. He’d hold off on trying to get her into his bed. She knew that’s where he wanted her. Besides, she looked tired and rough around the edges.

“Hop in. I’ll show you one of my favorite spots.”

Jack took her five miles down the main road, taking a right down a dirt road through the lush trees. They came to a meadow, and beyond, a lake. Jack pulled the Camaro through the meadow and backed up to the shore. He helped Jenna out of the car and they sat on the back of the trunk with their backs to the window. Jack had his arm under Jenna’s head, her body pressed against his side. They stared up at the stars and the full moon. A beautiful clear night, crickets chirped in the distance and an owl hooted from the nearby trees.

“It’s so peaceful here. This is beautiful. Where are we? Your own personal make-out spot?”

He smiled down at her and kissed her softly. “Not exactly. We’re still on the ranch. I love it here, especially at night. This is where I come when I want to think and be alone.”

“I can see why. It’s as if you’re the only one alive out here.”

Worried she felt too isolated, he asked, “Do you think you could live on the ranch for the rest of your life?”

“I love the ranch. It’s so beautiful. I’d like to ride the horses. I love horses.”

“You can ride whenever you want. I’ll even get you your own. What I mean is, the ranch is somewhat secluded, the town is small, there isn’t much to do. Can you deal with that? Can you live in a small town and on the ranch with me and my family without resenting being stuck here?”

“Jack, if you really want me to stay, I wouldn’t be stuck here. We could travel. I can work anywhere. All I need is my computer. I’ve traveled all over, and I’ve been alone for a long time.” She didn’t feel isolated. More like right where she belonged. “Being on the ranch, with you, with your family, is the best place I could be.”

“You mean it. You wouldn’t feel trapped?”

“Not trapped, Jack. I’d be part of a family.”

“We’ve only known each other a short time. It’s too soon to ask, but someday soon will you be my wife and have babies with me?”

“I want that more than anything. But it’s only been a few days. Are you sure you want to make that kind of commitment? With my past, you may decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”

“I’ll take all the trouble you can throw at me as long as I have you. I want to know we have a future together.” He couldn’t lose her and go back to living the kind of life he’d been living the years before he’d met her. He didn’t want to go back to not feeling anything. With her, his feelings were all good and happy and hopeful for their future.

“I hope you know how I feel about you. I told you before, I don’t play games. I don’t want to waste time beating around the bush. I’ve lost more than two years of my life. I don’t want to spend another day without you.”

“I hoped you felt the same way I do.” The tightness in his belly eased. He hadn’t realized how much he was counting on her to stay with him and give them a chance to really explore the overwhelming feelings they had for each other.

“I know you need time. Time to recover and figure out what comes next. Time to settle in with me at the ranch. We’ll take that time to be together without all the craziness of the last few days. Soon, I’ll give you a ring and ask you to marry me properly.”

“Jack, I don’t need all that. I only need you.”

“I want to give you a ring, my ring, and I want us to have a wedding with flowers and cake. Most of all, I want you to have the happy ending you deserve. I’ll spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

Overwhelmed by the words, knowing he meant every one of them, filled her with so much love.

They sat in silence watching the stars for a long time. When they spotted a shooting star, they both made the same wish, for a happy ending.

Jack slid off the trunk and pulled her off the back of the car.