Crashing Into Tess (11 page)

“It’s fun to cook for you. Too bad you’re only here until
spring.”
She wiggled her toes under his leg. “It’s not like my
departure date is anything certain. Apparently, Doc would
like me to consider taking over the practice. I guess he
doesn’t want to say anything official until I’m more
settled.”
“Really?” Jake felt his eyebrows shoot up. “Well, that
fits in with his retirement plans, then, doesn’t it?”
“It seems to.” Tess agreed. “Alice told me about it right
after I started, and Bea’s mentioned it since then, too. She’s
hoping I’ll decide to stay. Bea wants to start spending time
in Florida next winter.”
“But you wouldn’t consider it? I mean, a commitment
like that would be a huge career stall for you, right?” he
asked skeptically.
Brow furrowed, she looked at him, her eyes a little
hurt. “How do you mean?”
He touched her cheek, but held eye contact, feeling
protective of her. “Tess, ranch work is grueling. It’s a dirty,
difficult, tedious life. It’s commendable that you came out
here for the experience, but don’t you see yourself at New
Bolton, or at another top clinic, teaching or doing specialty
surgery in a more sterile, professional environment?”
“Is this some version of your ‘city girl’ impression of
me?” She was smiling, but he sensed he’d hurt her feelings.
Pulling her against him, he threw an afghan over her
legs and tucked her head to his chest, fingering her curls
with his fingers. “I guess I see this a little differently than
you do. I recognize your talent, and your ambition, and the
income potential of a real career. This has nothing to do
with how you fit in here. I love having you here, as does
everyone who has met you, but you’d never get the
professional recognition you deserve from a practice here
in Green Junction. I want what is best for you, and out of
real and sincere respect for you, I’m not sure Green
Junction has what it takes to satisfy your long term
ambitions or give you the life you deserve.”
“I haven’t given much thought to my long term
ambitions,” she acknowledged soberly. “Having the
majority of my work on ranch, out of doors might get old,
as a lifestyle. I see that. But right now I’m completely
fascinated by it. And really, very happy. I guess time will
tell, right?”
The fire crackled in the hearth. “I guess it will.”
Pushing away the last nagging doubts, he turned off the
lamp. Tilted her chin up, he gently kissed sweet, pink lips.
June was months away, and he had no intention of leaving
Tess to visit in front of any man’s fireplace but his. “The
next time we do this, I want you to spend all day with me
here at the ranch, and we can take that trail ride.”
“Deal,” she said softly. When he kissed her again, she
sighed, and opened her mouth, and when he touched his
tongue to hers, he shivered with desire, feeling his heart
melting. An hour later, they were on the rug in front of the
fireplace. Her hands were under his flannel shirt. As he
caressed her warm flat belly, she wiggled her hips under
him.
“I want you, Tess, so very much,” he murmured,
gasping as her fingers slipped into his waistband. “But I
want this to be right, for both of us.”
“How can this be wrong? It feels so great to be with
you,” she said.
“It does feel pretty terrific, doesn’t it? I want you with
me tonight. But as much as I want to make love, I think we
should wait.”
“You do?” she asked, kissing him, sliding her hands
into the small of his back.
It took everything he had to resist grinding his hips into
her. “Girl, you’re killing me.”
“I want you, too, but there’s plenty of time,” she said,
brushing her fingertips up his back.
“We both had an early morning and tomorrow will be
another long day, Crash. It’s getting late, and it’ll be
snowing again soon, if it isn’t already. The roads get slick
after dark. I’d worry too much, sending you out there. I
hope you’ll stay here. The guest room is made up.”
He kissed her, squeezing her tight. The firelight glowed
against the silhouette of her cheekbones, sparkling off her
irises. “God you are gorgeous, Crash. Will you stay?”
“Alice walked Rhiannon, earlier, and fed her. She’ll be
fine.”
“There’s a new toothbrush in the guest bath. I can’t wait
to feed you breakfast,” Jake murmured, untangled himself,
still flaming with desire, stoked the fire, and showed her to
the guest room.
At the guest room door, Tess gave him a chaste kiss.
“This is really thoughtful, Jake, thank you.”
Well after midnight, a waxing moon glowed through the
big picture window in his bedroom, rousing him. He heard
soft footfalls in the carpeted hallway. “Tess?” His bedroom
door squeaked, and she padded across the wide hardwood
planking and stood next to the bed, moonlight dancing in
her curls. He smiled at the sight of her. “Hey, girl, can’t you
sleep?” he asked gently.
“I woke up and wanted to be next to you. Is that okay?”
Her voice was soft, a little timid.
“Is it okay? It’s much better than okay. C’mon in here,
there’s plenty of room.” He threw his wool blanket and
down comforter back, and she slipped in next to him.
Snuggling her close, he slipped his nose against her curls.
The comfort of her next to him made his heart ache. “I
promised to keep you warm, didn’t I?” he whispered.
“Uh-huh,” she murmured, shifting her face against his
chest.
He slept later than usual Wednesday morning, cuddling
Tess close, unwilling to rouse her. While she showered, he
scrambled eggs and broiled bacon for them. After they’d
eaten breakfast, he warmed her truck and walked her to it,
handing her a piece of buttered whole wheat toast and a
travel mug of coffee. Standing on the front porch, he
watched her truck pull away, catching the wave and last
smile she flashed him.
Walking into the house, Jake felt the turmoil and
disappointment he’d carried for the past few years seeping
away, replaced by a buoyancy and satisfaction he hadn’t
felt in a long while.
If Tess were staying in Green Junction
past June, this would be really perfect. But I’ll never ask
her to make a sacrifice like that.

To:
[email protected]
From:
[email protected]
Date: Wednesday, October 10, 8:56 AM
Subject: Petticoat Green Junction Just keeps getting better!

Sammi~
Jake made me dinner last night. There is a wine cellar
at the ranch, stocked with, among other things, Jake’s
great-uncle Carlo’s wine from Italy. If this is love, Sammi,
I’ll have another helping please!
Jake’s parents, Maria and Billy, were teenage
sweethearts here in Green Junction. His mom left for New
York City with her mother after her dad, a train man,
passed away from a heart attack. But Maria and Billy
couldn’t bear to be apart, so Billy came to New York, to
propose. Uncle Carlo traveled by train from NYC with
Maria and her mother to Green Junction for their wedding,
bringing cases of specially selected Italian wines: Barollo,
Chianti, Valpolicello, and Barbaresco. Cousin Carlo
oversaw the wine import business while Uncle Carlo spent
that summer at the ranch, building the wine cellar.
Super romantic, right?? ( Even better, the wine import
business is still going, on West Broadway, you can stop
by! ) Needless to say, we drank un fantastico Barollo
(Grandma Angliotti will be so pleased) AND got molto
vicino al grande sesso ( shh, don’t tell her that!)
Jake’s so great to snuggle with, Sammi, it feels so right!

To:
[email protected]
From:
[email protected]
Date: Wednesday, October 10, 7:49 PM

Stay Dressied-Tessie: You poor thing, sampling vintage
Italian wines from the family cellar ~ Keep up the good
work! Ciao, Bella!! Sister Sammi

To:
[email protected]
From:
[email protected]
Date: Thursday, October 11, 6:56 PM

Jake’s Aunt Olivia left a message at the office, inviting me
to lunch at her house on Saturday.......Yikes! Can you
believe it? Thank goodness Mom shipped my dress clothes.
I got them from the post office today, just in time.
Love, Better be Dressied Tessie

To:
[email protected]
From:
[email protected]
10:49 AM Friday, October 12

Dear Better Be Dressied Tessie:....maybe split a
magnum of champagne with Auntie O tomorrow, to get the
party started? Mark my words, darling, she’s vetting you,
but as a vet, no doubt you’ll pass muster! My heart bleeds
for you, darling~ Enjoy Lunch!

Saturday, Tess was the first to arrive at the clinic but
she left before noon to dress at the apartment. Feeling
anxious, she chose a simple black turtleneck sweater, tall
black boots and an ankle length pleated kilt her mother had
sent. It didn’t take long to dress, but her fingers faltered as
she secured her hair with a barrette and pulled her long coat
on. “You stay here, Rhiannon, take care of the house,” she
whispered, feeling very, very subdued.

Ten minutes later, she was pressing the doorbell of the
imposing brick Georgian on Talbot Street, trying to ignore
the loop-the-loops in her stomach.
I hope I can eat!

Olivia McGreer opened the door, in a ruffly blouse and
flowered silk skirt, a fancy gold and pearl pin at her neck.
“Doctor Bamberger,” she said, in a pleasant, distinguished
voice, her smile warm and sincere as she clasped Tess’s
hand. “Welcome.”

“Please, call me Tess. It’s lovely to see you again.”
“I’m delighted as well. Thank you for coming.” She
graciously motioned Tess into the formal entry, a large,
marble tiled hallway with crystal chandelier. Her silver hair

was pulled back tightly in a bun, she’d just applied lipstick,
and she really did seem pleased to see Tess. Despite the
formal setting, Tess began to relax as a uniformed maid
helped her out of her coat.

“We’ll just sit in the library, and Stella will bring tea,”
Olivia said, indicating a door on her right. In the room lined
with bookshelves, a pair of wing chairs flanked a small
marble hearth, where a crackling fire was laid. The heavy,
expensive drapes were open, and autumn sunshine filtered
through shuttered windows. Tess took one of the wing
chairs, while Stella carried a silver tea service in, setting it
on the table in front of the hearth.
“I hope you are finding Green Junction to your liking,

Tess,” Olivia said, pouring tea into a bone china cup and
handing it to her. “You’ve been very well received here,
dear. Every rancher you’ve visited is singing your praises,
and Doc and Bea are thrilled.” Olivia offered her a sugar
cube from tongs.

“That is so kind of you to say, thank you.” Tess held her
cup to Olivia.
“It’s the absolute truth, dear. My praise is welldeserved. Ranch veterinary work is a very tough job. Few
women would do it, and I mean that as a compliment. Your
dedication is admirable.” Olivia held the pitcher of cream.
“You’ve captured my niece Cassie’s imagination as well.”
“She is a bright, talented little girl,” Tess agreed.
“That she is. And her father has made himself no
stranger, I understand.” Olivia smiled as she plopped cream
into Tess’s cup and then her own.
Tess blushed furiously as the image of the bare,
muscular chest she’d woken up next to Wednesday
morning flashed in her mind. Stirring her tea to gain time,
she tried to recover. “He’s a wonderful person,” she
stammered.
They visited amicably for a few more minutes, then
Olivia said, “Shall we go to the dining room? Stella has
prepared Lobster Newburgh. I hope seafood is to your
liking.”
Throughout the elegant lunch, in a dining room as
polished and formal as the rest of the house, Olivia
continued her skillful gleaning of information, covering
Tess’s education and parents and upbringing, touching ever
so lightly on her political inclinations. The Lobster
Newburgh was delicious. She managed to enjoy it while
successfully deflecting Olivia’s questions, answering
cheerfully, elaborating on some, playing down others.
Samantha was right. She’s vetting me.
Just in time, Stella cleared their lunch dishes. She set a
silver coffee service on the sideboard, and plates of
chocolate raspberry torte in front of Tess and Olivia. Olivia
poured coffee, continuing in a lowered voice. “I do want to
bring up my nephew again, Tess, since it’s clear to me that
Jake has singled you out.”
Tess blushed, unsure of what to say. “Jake was very
kind to me when I first arrived. He’s been a thoughtful and
generous friend. I’m grateful to know him, and I always
enjoy the time we spend together.”
“I’m glad to hear that chivalry is not dead in the
McGreer family. Even though his marriage was difficult,
he was a devoted husband and father, I can assure you. His
father doted on his mother until her death, so in his early
years, he had an excellent role model. You’ve seen him
yourself with Cassie?”
“I have. He’s obviously a dedicated parent, very patient
and loving,” she confirmed with a smile, unnerved by
Olivia’s intensity.
“I’m not going to mince words, Tess. Jake is my
brother’s only son, I have no children of my own, and I’ve
taken a strong interest in his welfare since he lost his
mother as a little boy. My brother misses his wife
dreadfully, and has never remarried. The disagreeableness
of Jake’s marriage took a very heavy toll on him, and I’ve
been afraid he would follow his father’s path of solitude. It
is encouraging to me that he’s shown an interest in you.”
Astonished by Olivia’s candor, Tess was unsure how to
respond. Thankfully, she didn’t have to, because Olivia
continued.
“
I say this because I was uncertain if Jake would
recover, in light of the loss of his mother. It’s very
important to me that he finds a woman able to be the
companion he deserves. I can say that upon first
impressions, you seem to me to be that woman. I’ve been
delighted by the prospect since I heard of his friendship
with you,” she finished enthusiastically.
Tess had been sipping her coffee somewhat nervously,
and at Olivia’s last words, she coughed into her napkin to
hide her surprise. “Well, I’m certainly aware of the
compliment you are paying me, but I have no idea that
Jake’s feelings for me are that serious. As it currently
stands, I’m only here until spring.”
“But that might change. Bea and Doc hope it will. And
Jake is quite taken with you, and Cassie’s affection for you
is clear.”
“It’s very kind of you to say. But if I were to be in her
father’s life as a steady presence, Cassie might feel
differently, especially if her mother is unhappy,” Tess said
quietly, acknowledging her fears aloud for the first time.
“You do understand the complications inherent in stepparenting, then,” Olivia said sympathetically. “Tess, I
wonder, would you be willing to accept a stepdaughter?
And how would your parents feel about your involvement
with a divorced man, especially one with an ex-wife as
difficult as Victoria? I realize I’m putting you on the spot,
but I do believe that Jake’s feelings for you would likely
become quite serious in short order, if your involvement
continues, and I suppose I’m trying to prevent any
misunderstandings, as much as I can. He is a devoted
father, has a gentle and trusting heart, and considerable
wealth. He has so much to offer the right woman.”
Tess was unsure of how to answer Olivia’s questions
tactfully. She met Olivia’s eye, and she could see,
underneath her prim words and formal demeanor, a very
devoted, cautious concern for Jake and Cassie. However
unorthodox her methods, Olivia was well intended. “ Jake
and Cassie are fortunate to have someone who cares about
them the way you do,” she said quietly.
Olivia reached across the table, and took her hand.
“Thank you for understanding Tess. I do so appreciate your
visit. Please forgive me if I’ve been overbearing. It’s not
my intention to interfere.”
“I appreciate your position. I’d want to protect Jake
and Cassie if they were mine. Though I haven’t given it
much thought, I’m sure I’d be thrilled to be a stepmother to
a child as special as Cassie. I really adore her. And my
parents are certain to spoil any grandchild absolutely rotten,
no matter what the circumstance.” She smiled at Olivia.
“Of course, my parents are miles away, and it’s much too
soon to think seriously about this, anyway, right?”
Olivia returned the smile, and they made small talk for
the remainder of her stay. Once in the hall, the maid
brought Tess’s coat.
“Well, Tess, I’m glad you accepted my lunch invitation,
and I hope we can do this again soon. It’s wonderful to
have a new face in town, especially one as interesting as
yours.”
“Thank you.” Tess smiled graciously, pleased to have
survived the meeting.