Crashing Into Tess (24 page)

When Tess felt Jake’s cool, firm lips on hers,
the
uncertainty of the past four weeks melted down her back
into a puddle at the floor, replaced with a warm, contented,
buoyancy.

“You didn’t think I’d let you go to the social event of
the year with anyone but me, did you?”
“How was I to know?” His brown eyes were amused. “I
really do think I could use another drink,” she giggled.
Alice was finishing up behind the bar. “Alice, Jake sent us
the tickets.”
Alice jaw dropped, a look of disbelief on her face. Eyes
flashing, she said to Jake. “Dude, next time sign the card.
Do you know the trauma you caused around here this
week? Lotts, open another bottle of champagne, we’ve got
more celebrating to do here.”
Alice poured a glass for every patron still in the bar,
then came from behind the bar, hugged Tess and Jake,
toasting them wildly.
The wool of Jake’s blue suit mashed against her bare
shoulders, and his next kiss brought her up off her stool.
Arms around his neck, letting her fingers coil in his dark
curls, her knees went weak. The longing she’d kept buried
the past dreary weeks unfurled as desire coiled in her belly,
making her toes curl.
Remember what Daddy said. Take it
slow this time.
He took her hand. “C’mon, gorgeous, you and I have a
dinner date. I’ll pull the car around and meet you in back.”
Tess went for her coat, Alice right behind her. “What a
relief,” Alice raved as Tess slipped into her boots. She held
Tess’s coat and squeezed her arm. “Lotts and I will see you
at the dance. Enjoy dinner.”
Out in the dark frosty night, Jake held the door to a
vintage silver Mercedes sedan. Light snowflakes fell
sparingly as Tess climbed into the heated seat of the cushy
leather interior. “Where did this come from?”
“I couldn’t have you arriving at the dance in the ranch
truck. This was Uncle Albert’s. Aunt Olivia insisted that we
go to Tree Lighting in style. She keeps this in her garage. ”
“How does it handle in the snow?” Tess asked
curiously, as Jake climbed into the driver’s seat.
“A Mercedes with snow tires is as good as a tank. We
can go anywhere, as long as we go slowly,” Jake replied. A
slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
“I have to apologize. The whole time you’ve had this
planned, I’ve been upset, thinking you were letting me go
to the dance with Ron.”
“I’d never let that happen, not in a million years.” Jake
brushed the exposed nape of her neck with his fingertips,
sending chills down her spine. He leaned over, kissing her
mouth. He tasted cool and firm and masculine, with a hint
of whiskey. “So I surprised you, huh?”
“You did. Twice today. Both were very pleasant
surprises.” It was fun, being able to flirt with him again.
The leather interior was warm and cosy, and she settled
back into the comfortable seat.
Don’t rush things, Tess.
You’ll only be sorry.
“I’m really glad to be with you
tonight, Jake,” she smiled. “And thanks for telling how you
felt, earlier today.”
“I realized I wasn’t doing any favors by not telling you
how I felt,” he said, heat deep in his eyes. He took her
hand. “I wanted to do something special for dinner, so I
made a reservation at Steadman’s. We’ll be at the dance by
the time Alice and Lotts get there.”
“That was a great idea, thank you,” she said, enjoying
the sensation of his warm palm cupping her cool fingertips.
He brought them to his mouth, kissing each tenderly. A
thrill shot up her arm, and another wave of longing coursed
over her.
Pace yourself, girl. Stop thinking about skipping
dinner and taking him back to your place. Things worth
having are worth waiting for.

Jake was pleased that
he’d chosen Steadman’s
,
a classic
French restaurant serving the finest cuts of free range
regional beef and game, with seafood shipped directly from
Louisiana. A harpist played in the center of the dining room
as the maitre d’ led them to a table.

“Got to give my Philadelphia girl as much swank as can
be had, west of the Mississippi,” he whispered into the
curls above her ear.
It’s worth it to make this happen for us,
even if it’s only until she leaves.
When they were seated, he
ordered a split of champagne. After the steward poured the
Cristal, he raised his glass to her. “I’ve got some work to do
to make up for the 400 heifers I stuck you with
Wednesday.”

“You do,” she agreed, clinked her glass gently against
his. After they sipped, her smile turned saucy. “But we had
a really great trail ride afterward. That was a start. And you
came clean today.”

“I sure did,” he admitted. His sheepish smile brightened
at the look in her eyes. “You didn’t mind sticking around
after lunch today, for two games of Candyland?”

The server was bringing their salad course. “Candyland
is my favorite, especially when I can play it with you and
Cassie.”

“Do you know how lucky I feel every time I’m with
you?” He took her hand across the white linen table. She
smiled at him for real then, her eyes soft and sparkling, her
face radiant.
I’ve waited to see that glow. I want to see it all
the time, and I’m willing to earn it, every day.

After salad, the waiter set a shrimp and petite steak
before Tess, and the rack of lamb in front of Jake. They
chatted through dinner, and he was pleased to see the light
in her face. The confusion between them had cleared, and
the heat was back. The valet brought the car around, and he
helped Tess in.

“I’m fine. Thanks for a lovely evening, Jake. This is
really special,” she said, flashing an encouraging smile.
“I haven’t handled us the way I should have,” he said
gravely, touching her cheek. “Thanks for setting me straight
on Wednesday. You said some things I needed to hear. You
know how I feel now, but I wish I’d spoken earlier.”
Smiling, Tess put her right hand to his neck, and
pressed her soft pink lips to his, in a sweet, understanding,
tender kiss. He took her cheeks in his palms. The blue eyes
looking into his were steady, and he knew he’d been
forgiven. “Look, Tess, if you think there’s a chance for us, I
want to give it another shot,” he said determinedly.
“You do?”
“I do, if you’ll still have me. Honestly, a girl like you
only comes along once in a lifetime. Please, can we try this
again?”
She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened
them, a smile played across her lips. Her eyes glowed at
him in the dark. “I’d like that, Jake. I can’t imagine
anything being as much fun as the times I’ve spent with
you and Cassie.”
Alice and Lotts were boogieing on the dance floor
when they arrived at the VFW hall. Jake took Tess in his
arms, pulling her close, and she folded her cold hands
inside the panels of his suit coat. Planting his right hand on
her waist, he took her good hand in his left, and she moved
against him, like molten gold, sparkly and radiant. Inhaling,
he breathed her hair, kissing her cheek, willing her to feel
as safe with him as she ever had.
It was eleven when he returned from the punch bowl.
Handing a glass to her, he said, “Honey, Tilda left a
message on my voicemail. Rhiannon is in labor, but she
doesn’t want our evening spoiled. She’s happy to handle it,
if you want to stay.”
“Oh, we’ve had our fun, and the dance is winding down
now. Cassie will never forgive us if we let her miss the
birth of the puppies, Jake. Can’t we go get her, and take her
up to the ranch?” Tess pleaded, setting the glass punch cup
down.
He smiled at her eagerness.“Sure, if you don’t mind. I’ll
get our coats and call Olivia, let her know we’re on our
way.”
She’s always thinking of how to make Cassie happy.

There, she grabbed her emergency kit and a change of
clothes
.
Cassie was in her coat and hat and mittens waiting
at the door of Aunt Olivia’s tall white Georgian when the
car swung up the drive. Jake held the passenger door, and
Olivia hurried out in her nightgown and and overcoat,
holding Cassie’s hand.

“Oh, Dr. Tess, isn’t this exciting! And you still have
your dress on, let me see!” Cassie pleaded, peering over the
seat back. “Your hair is so pretty, you look like a fairy
princess.”

“Thanks, Cassie.”
This kid is so incredible.
A lump
formed in Tess’s throat.
Olivia leaned in. “I’m sorry this has interrupted your
evening Tess. You do look just lovely. And thank you for
what you’ve done for Cassie these past few days, and
always. I hope you’ll be able to join us on Thursday for our
Thanksgiving feast.”
“I’d be delighted to, Olivia, thank you so much.”
“Stella and I will prepare everything, so just bring
yourself. We’ll dine at three,” she intoned, regal as ever,
despite her nightgown and galoshes.
“Wonderful. I’ll look forward to it.”
“I won’t keep you, I know Cassie is excited about this
adventure.” Shutting the door, Olivia waved, stepping back
towards the house.
As Jake backed down the driveway, Cassie piped up.
“Daddy, will we get there in time? I think Rhiannon will
need us to help her. It’s not easy to have puppies, you
know.”
“I imagine it isn’t. I’d call Tilda, but she probably has
her hands full right now.” Smiling in the rear view mirror at
Cassie, Jake reached for Tess’s hand.
“Rhiannon is having six puppies, Cass, we’ll be there in
time to help, don’t worry,” Tess said reassuringly, turning to
Cassie’s sparkling eyes.
“I can’t wait!” Cassie said excitedly. “And I’m so
happy you are with us, Dr. Tess. It’s always a lot more fun
when you are around. Did you like dancing with Daddy?”
“We had a wonderful time, Cass.”
“I like his suit, don’t you?”
“I sure do. Thanks for sharing him with me tonight.”
“That’s okay. You make him happy, I can tell.”
Jake’s dark eyes penetrating the darkness, with a smile
just for her. Tess leaned against the comfy leather seat back
and sighed.
This evening has turned out so much better
than I expected. Just goes to show, you never can tell.

Jake pulled up to the ranch house
. The lights were
on for them, and Cassie leapt from the car and headed for
the mudroom, with Tess behind her, clutching her
emergency kit.

Grinning, he grabbed Tess’s overnight bag from the
trunk and followed them in. Two new puppies were already
in the whelping box, and Cassie squealed delightedly at the
births of the remaining four.

Much later, after they’d changed into jeans and slippers
and sweatshirts, cleaned up the puppies, gotten Rhiannon
comfortable and Cassie settled into bed, Jake sat next to
Tess on the cushy leather sofa in front of the fireplace.

“I opened a bottle of Uncle Carlo’s Chianti to celebrate
tonight, Tess ” he said quietly, pouring from a decanter.
When he handed her a globe of deep red wine, Tess smiled
at him, her eyes glowing with happiness.

“This was such a perfect night,” she said, “I never
would have imagined things could work out so well for any
of us, after yesterday.”

“It’s been intense,” he said, sipping from his glass.
“Uncle Carlo’s Chianti will help put things in perspective.”
Tess smiled, settling against him, her casted fingertips
on her thigh, wine glass in her hand. He rested his arm on
her shoulders, playing with her hair. She’d unpinned it, and
it fell over her shoulders in tousled waves.
After a long moment, he said,“About that job at New
Bolton, Tess, I think you should do it. We’ll manage
somehow. I don’t want you to miss out on an opportunity
you’ll regret later.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too, Jake, especially
after yesterday.” Her pale eyes glistening in the firelight.
“If I were working in Philadelphia, I’d be thinking about
what I was missing here, you and Cassie, her ponies and
the ranch. She’ll grow up quickly. I’d miss out on so much
if I left. It would be good for me to do another year here in
his practice first, for the experience, anyway, and Doc
suggested I contact Colorado State, about their PhD
program in microbiology. He’s spoken to some colleagues
about me, and they’ve inviting me to apply. I’ll have good
recommendations from New Bolton, so he’s almost positive
I’ll be accepted. I’d really like to tour their facility. It’s only
three hours away.”
He touched her curls. “Tess, that’s great. You’d
consider the program at Fort Collins?”
“Well, as Doc pointed out, if I’d want to concentrate
solely on livestock care, CSU has the best program.”
“So you think you’ll stick around then?” His heart leapt
with eagerness.
“This summer and next year, too. I can apply for the
program at CSU next fall, for admittance the following
year. It will be a good balance for me, another year here for
practical experience, then research and a PhD, but only
three hours away.”
Thrilled at her news, Jake thought of what Alice had
told him earlier, while Lotts and Tess were
dancing.
“There’s more at stake here than you realize, Jake.
If you are serious about Tess, you better not let too much
more time pass. You need her here, and so does Cassie. She
doesn’t want to leave, I hope you know that. You should ask
her to marry you. You know that’s what you want.”
“Don’t you think that’s rushing things a bit?”
“Only if you don’t want to give her a reason to stick
around. What’s to wait for?”
They drank their wine, Tess relaxed against him,
sighing with contentment. He stroked his fingertip on the
silky smooth skin of her collarbone, just above the neck of
her sweatshirt, and took a deep breath. “After the past
twenty-four hours with Cassie, Crash, I don’t know what
we’d do around here without you.”
She sat up and looked at him, her eyes like saucers.
“You mean that, Jake?”
“I do. I love you, Tess,” he said, touching a finger to her
lips. She let the tip of her tongue press against it, and the
sensation sent a flame up his arm.
“I love you, too, Jake. And Cassie. So much. I was so
worried about coming back from Philadelphia when I
hadn’t heard from you. I didn’t want to think about life in
Green Junction without you.”
“I never meant to cause you heartache, y’know.”
He set his wineglass down, and kissed her deeply. She
kissed him back, with everything she had, and the fire she
roused, filling him with heat and desire, and even better, the
certainty and trust he finally allowed himself to belief in.
She’s everything you could ever want. Let her make you
and Cassie happy, because she will.
“Wait here a minute, Tess, will you?”
“Sure, Jake.”