Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (25 page)

Jack opened the bank box door and removed a wooden box. “It's another box."

"Open it,” Jan said with the curiosity they all felt.

Jack lifted the lid and smiled. “There's a letter, some papers, his harmonica. I searched for two months trying to find this thing."

"My turn!” Jan was full of energy now. Like a kid at Christmas, she put her key in box 460. “I got a box, too!"

"That's grandma's jewelry box.” Heath nodded. “I thought mom had it."

"Oh my,” Jan exclaimed as she opened it. “It's all of it, and a letter and some papers, but it's all of her jewelry."

"Not all of it.” Heath sighed, and Bethany wondered what piece he was referring to. “Rafe."

"Don't mind if I do.” Rafe patted Heath on the shoulder once then went to his box, 458. “Here goes everything."

"Well?” Jan prompted.

"Box, like Jack's.” Rafe opened the lid. “Sweet."

"What?” Jan asked.

"Spurs. And more of the same paperwork.” He shrugged, but his eyes gave him away. Those spurs meant a lot to him.

"Heath.” Bethany looked sidelong at the mountain of a man who seemed more nervous than the rest.

"I shouldn't have much. He already gave me an heirloom, and I lost it.” His footsteps thundered as he walked to the box. Again, she wondered what he meant by it, but this was no time to ask. Jack squeezed her in tight against him, and they all waited.

Heath opened box 457 and removed another wood box just like Jack and Rafe had. Opening it, he stood silent, then closed it, and marched out of the room without comment.

"Heath?” Jan called, but he was in a hurry to get out of there.

"Let him go, Jan.” Paul nodded. “The paperwork you all refer to is what you need to get your money out. You can go to the tellers and let poor Angie have a rest."

"Just like that?” Rafe asked.

"Just like that.” Paul nodded.

"Well, why don't we discuss it later then come back.” Jan stroked the top of the jewelry box.

"Sounds good.” Rafe nodded. “We should all be together anyways."

"Come on, beautiful, I'll buy you some lunch before I head into work.” Buck kissed Jan on the forehead and led her out the door.

"I'm gonna go see Layla.” Rafe smiled and headed out behind them.

"Mr. Rueben,” Jack spoke as the man started to leave.

"Yes?"

"We'll be having a big barbeque for the opening weekend of the ranch. Would you like to come?” Bethany felt the pride in her heart for this kind man. How Jack had evaded so many women was a mystery. Any woman would be proud to stand by his side.

"I'd like to.” Paul Reuben smiled, and all the lines on his old face appeared, but his eyes twinkled.

"You, too, Ms. Angie.” Jack nodded.

"Well, thank you, Jack.” The woman smiled and opened the door for them.

"I wonder what Heath got,” Bethany said as she held Jack's box in her lap.

"Something special, like all of us. He just couldn't admit it.” Jack smiled at her.

"You know, I am really proud to be your wife, Jack Johnson.” She smiled at him and wondered if they would always be like this.

"Thank you, sweetheart.” He blushed.

"Jack, do you like me?” she asked seriously.

"Little bit,” he joked.

"I'm serious.” She traced the soft wood box with her finger. “I know I'm a little different sometimes."

"Is this where you tell me you're really an alien from outer space?” he teased.

"Jack.” She sighed. “I mean I know we have great sex, really amazing sex, but do you like who I am in the light of day? When I'm just plain ole Bethany Johnson?"

"Sweetheart, I prefer plain ole Bethany Johnson both in and out of the bedroom. I don't mind playing games or swatting your tush now and then if that's what it takes to keep you happy, but I wouldn't mind making love to plain old Bethany Johnson now and again."

She gulped. Here she had been trying to be wild for him, trying to live up to what she thought a man like Jack would want or expect in the bedroom, and all along he just wanted her. “So, no games tonight."

"Promise?” He bit his lower lip and wiggled his eyebrows.

"You are so bad.” She giggled.

"I get to be the man again. Hooray!” he teased.

"Jack, it wasn't bad."

"I wonder if my sweetheart will have the same sailor mouth as my other lovers."

"What other lovers?” She snapped to attention.

"Dr. Bethany, Servant Bethany, Mistress Bethany.” He could go on, but he stopped there.

"I like talking dirty sometimes.” She shrugged. “So, I shouldn't say what? Fuck, cock, pussy."

"You're making me blush, woman.” He laughed. “You say whatever you want, just as long as you don't say small, little, or stop."

He winked. She felt better about herself every day she was with Jack. The healing power of love had helped her become the woman she knew deep down she always was. The woman she wanted to be. And Jack accepted her, just like she was and even when she acted out. Something no one else had done before.

"Well, now what do we have here?” Jack asked as he came through the kitchen door. He put his boots in the mud room since they were muddy. The rain had started on the way back from town and had not let up any. It was a good thing. They needed the rain.

"Dinner.” Bethany acted as though it was no big deal, but she had put together quite a feast. The dining room table was set with candlelight and all. He got the feeling she was trying to seduce him, and he had to admit, he was easy pickings.

"So, the candlelight is just in case the power goes out then?” He smiled and stepped around the counter to get his hands on her. Every moment away from her felt like an eternity.

"Behave. I made all this food, so we could enjoy a nice quiet dinner alone.” She leaned into him as she protested, and he squeezed her tight. Inhaling deeply, he smelled the baked chicken, the stuffing, and Bethany.

"Dance with me.” He didn't know what had come over him, but he really felt like dancing with her.

"Jack.” She giggled but let him spin her around to face him and put her arms around his neck as he pulled her in tight.

He began humming the song that now hung in the corner of his mind. “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” by Billy Currington. Not only had he memorized it from the first night, he bought the damned CD and listened to it whenever he was alone in his truck.

Bethany sighed, placing her head against his shoulder. “You're definitely doing something right, Jack."

The fact she was happy meant more to him than breathing. Never in his life had he felt about another person the way he felt about this woman in his arms. Her happiness was at the forefront of his mind all day. Every decision he made was based on furthering her happiness. “I love you, Bethany Johnson. I don't want to go another day without saying it or hearing it from you."

"Oh, Jack.” She squeezed him so tight he almost lost his air. When did she get so strong? “I love you, too. You've made me the happiest woman in the world."

"Yeah, well you've made me the hungriest man. I keep smelling chicken and stuffing and can't wait to eat.” He looked down into her eyes and saw the love he felt reflected there. A vague memory popped into his mind, his grandpa holding his grandma like this. His dad, after Jan was born, holding his mom. “I feel sorry for my brothers."

"Why?” She tiptoed up to kiss him. Such a sweet mouth she had. No wonder he was intoxicated by her.

"They don't have this. What we have.” One more kiss and he resigned to letting her go, so they could eat the meal she obviously worked hard to prepare.

"They'll find it.” She seemed so sure of her words he hoped she was right. She had not been wrong about anything so far.

After she set the plates on the table, he flipped out the light. “Huh, power must have gone out."

"Well, good thing it only went out in the dining room because there's a pie in the oven.” She shook her head obviously amused at his attempt to make it more romantic.

He ignored her and sat at the head of the table, so he could be closer to her. She had placed his food directly across from her. “This smells delicious."

"Thank you.” She smiled. The candlelight played with her features, especially her eyes. They ate in relative silence, only the sounds of silverware and occasional sighs. The silence was a peaceful thing. Not awkward or forced, just natural as they enjoyed the meal.

The timer went off on the oven, and Bethany started to get up. “I'll take care of it, sweetheart. You sit tight.” She started to get up again, and he put both hands on her shoulders and held her in place. “I don't mind, really."

"Okay, if you insist.” She shrugged.

"I do.” He removed the hot apple pie and set it on the counter to cool. “You've really outdone yourself, sweetheart."

"I'm trying to be a good housewife.” She admitted.

"What?” He frowned. She was more than just a housewife, and he knew it was important to her to be a businesswoman.

"I've been thinking I can just help Heath out with the ranch details and otherwise just be here.” It was the awkwardness of the sentence letting him know she was getting restless. They had done so much work on the ranch so quickly because of her help. Things had begun to run smoothly, and she was needed to do less and less. Apparently, she had delegated herself right into boredom.

"You know what I think?” he asked as he began cleaning up the table. Again, she tried to get up, but he was not having it. “I think you should start your own consulting service. I mean look how fast you got this place up and running. There are plenty of other businesses in town and other ranches around could use your business eye."

"I don't want to work with other ranches. I want to work here,” she said definitively.

"So, why don't you take on the dining facility? You've been talking about getting it up and going. You can cook until we get a chef, or just do it yourself from now on. Whatever you want, sweetheart, just do it.” He placed the dishes in the sink, and she moved beside him to open the dishwasher. They worked as a quick efficient team clearing the plates and storing the leftovers.

"You know what I want?” she spoke quietly.

"What's that, sweetheart?” He passed her the last plate.

"Kids.” Thank God she had grabbed the plate before he let go of it. It would have smashed into the floor otherwise.

"Babies?” The air was sucked from his lungs, and he sounded like a bullfrog asking the question. She took it as a bad sign because her face fell into a slow frown.

"I don't know,” she said quietly then looked away. He was paralyzed. He tried to reach for her, but his arms wouldn't move. Father, good lord, he had only grown up himself in the past month. “I can see you're not ready for kids, so just forget it."

She shut the dishwasher door and started it. He remained frozen, unable to move or speak. She looked at him and then walked out of the room. Long moments passed before he could breathe again. Shaking out of the stupor he was in, he went to find her.

She was already asleep in the bed. The closer he got the easier he could see she had been crying. It broke his heart to make her cry. She was obviously upset. She had on her silky nightgown, and they never wore clothes to bed. Letting out a long breath, he resigned to the fact it was going to happen eventually anyways. Yes, he would like to spend more time with just the two of them, but she was a thirty year-old woman. His momma had three kids by the time she was thirty.

Jack undressed and slid into bed next to her.

"Sweetheart. Sweetheart, wake up.” He kissed her temple, her cheek, each eyelid.

"Let me sleep, Jack.” She sounded so sad it hurt him to hear it.

"Wake up, sweetheart. We have work to do.” He kissed her pouting lip and didn't quit until she began kissing him back.

"Jack, I don't feel like it,” she said as her arms snaked around his back and held him close.

"You don't feel like making a baby?” He kissed her neck and then her ear. “Stop taking the pill, sweetheart."

"I uh ... I ran out ... last week?” She tensed in his arms like she just realized something. Good grief was she already pregnant?

"Are you..."

"No, I'm not; I mean I can't be right. How long has it been? I just ... wanted to see how you felt. You obviously aren't ready. Don't worry about it.” She shrugged.

"Don't tell me what I am or am not ready for, now spread ‘em.” He nipped her top lip. “How long does it take for birth control to wear off?"

"I don't know. At least a month right ... probably more, right?” She ran her fingers through his hair and down his neck, leaving goose bumps in their wake. If he didn't know better, it was as if she were asking him.

"Well, we have a lot of practice to do now, don't we?” He nipped her neck gently.

"I just want to crawl right under your skin and be a part of you so badly sometimes. You know?” She traced her fingers over his lips. Her body began to heat, and though she was wearing the nightgown she was not wearing panties, and the scent of her arousal perfumed the air. Without any foreplay, she was already wet and ready.

"I know.” He slid between her legs, the tip of his prick already seeking entry. The moist mouth of her vagina opened to allow him in. With one smooth thrust, he was there, deep within her walls. It was like a homecoming every time. “I love you, sweetheart. I want you to have as many babies as you want."

"What do you want?” she asked then gripped his back as he slowly rocked into her over and over again.

"I've got everything I want right here, right now. As long as you're happy, I'm happy.” He kissed her deeply not letting her answer. He had at least a month to get used to the idea of being a dad. Good Lord, he would be someone's father. What if they had girls? What if they wanted to date a guy like him? The thought was terrifying. Boys, yes they needed to have boys. “We need to have sons though, okay?"

"Um ... sure,” was all she said. Letting go of the thoughts of babies, he focused in earnest on the process of making them.

How could he even talk? Bethany wondered as Jack continued to make slow sweet thrusts inside her. His lips came down on hers, and she kissed him. He must have stolen a bite of apple pie along the way because he tasted like it. She hated how she stupidly wore the silky nightgown now. It kept her skin from being next to his. She tried to count the days in her head. What the hell had she done with those pills? How could she forget them? Well, she always forgot to take them, but before it was just to regulate her cycle, not actually prevent pregnancy. She had taken them since being there, right? Her mind reeled. Then, he hit the sweet spot, and all thoughts evaporated. The only thing existing in the moment was Jack.