Desiring the Enemy (15 page)

     “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.” The preacher said to the happy bride and groom.

     Wade took Jenna in his arms and dipped her as he placed a warm kiss on her lips, to the delight of all in attendance. The crowd erupted in applause as Jenna and Wade turned to face them. It had been a year since Jenna reluctantly agreed to return to the ranch. As promised Mitch had hired her and since most of the work could be done online she had been able to work from home.  Although Gretchen had the additional task of helping take care of the baby while Jenna worked, at an attractive raise in pay, Jenna enjoyed knowing that she was available to him whenever he called out for her.

     Not wanting to leave Midge in the lurch she asked Mitch if he would take her as a client. Mitch hadn’t hesitated and soon Midge was being represented by his accounting firm at a very steep discount. 

     “I feel very hoity-toity now,” she had said to Jenna when she found out that she would be represented by such a prestigious company.

     Jenna had been able to keep in touch with all her Sunset Cove friends, and video chatting made her feel like she was right there with them. They would come visit her whenever they could and Jenna and Wade would go see them often. She and Wade felt lucky to have this extended ‘family’ to love. They all made the trip for the wedding and looking out into the crowd Jenna was filled with a sense of belonging.

     Stanley and Rose went up to them in the vestibule, handing Jenna her beautiful boy.

     “There’s your mama, you silly boy.” Rose said to him as he reached out for Jenna.

     “Come here baby,” Jenna cooed as she took him from Rose. She had finally settled on Stanley James for a name, and felt it fit him perfectly. Stanley had been so good to her, and he was also a strong and generous man, traits that she hoped her son had inherited from his great uncle.

     “What am I, chopped liver?” Wade said to his son as he watched little Stanley nuzzle Jenna’s neck.

     “Hey, he always wants to go to you, it’s my turn now,” Jenna said as she cuddled her son.

     “Okay, fine, I’ll let you have him this once.”

     Jenna shot him a dirty look and Rose and Stanley burst out laughing.  

     Carol and Corbin approached them hand in hand to offer their congratulations.

     “I’m so happy for you guys,” Carol said, hugging Wade, then Jenna and Little Stanley.

     “Thank you sweetie,” Jenna said.

     Corbin went to Wade and shook his hand. “Be good to her, she’s a great lady.”

     “You know I will,” Wade said, smiling broadly.

     Corbin had become one of Wade’s closest friends in the past year. Whenever Wade and Jenna visited Sunset Cove Corbin would make sure to clear his schedule so that he could spend time with them. He would hang out with Wade as Jenna and Carol caught up.  When Jenna moved back to the ranch he had cried on Carol’s shoulder, but as time passed he realized that he had feelings for her and a relationship had begun. The way things were progressing Jenna and Wade saw another wedding in the near future and they couldn’t be happier.

     “Hey bro, I finally got you married off,” Marla said with a smile as she made her way to them. 

     “It’s about time she made an honest man out of me.”

     “Just making sure you were marriage material,” Jenna chimed in.

     Wade took her in his arms and gave her a huge kiss as the crowd cheered.

     “Well enough of this, let’s head back to the house. I wanna party tonight,” Mitch said to the hoot of all. They started toward their cars and headed out.

***

     The ranch had been set up for an outdoor reception and the weather had thankfully cooperated. The servers took their drink orders as soon as they arrived, kicking off the festivities.

     “I feel like I should be helping,” Gretchen said as she watched servers come around with hors d’oeuvres.

     “Nonsense, you’re a guest today. Now go dance,” she said as she nudged her toward the dance floor.

     “What about the kids? I need to keep them in line.”

     “The kids are running around having a good time, they’ll be fine.”

     “Are you sure it’s okay?”

     “Positive, now go.”

     Gretchen looked back as she was led to the dance floor by Mike and mouthed the words ‘thank you’ as he took her in his arms. 

     “I finally got the sister I always wanted,” Jenna heard Marla say and turned around to face her.

     “Me too. I feel so lucky to be a part of this wonderful family,” she said, pulling Marla in for a hug.

     “We’re the lucky ones. I’m amazed at how well you fit in with this crazy bunch. It’s like you were heaven sent.”

     Knowing that she was so readily accepted into the family filled her heart with gratitude and love, and she smiled appreciatively.

     She saw Marla glance toward the gazebo where Cliff was leaning against the railing, looking their way.

     “What’s his situation?” Marla asked, looking back at Jenna.

     “I don’t know much about him, he keeps to himself. Wade does rave about what a great horse trainer he is, but that’s about all I know. Why, are you interested in him?”

     “He’s gorgeous, and he has the best buns I’ve ever seen on a man.”

     Jenna knew Wade had the best buns ever bestowed on a man, but decided to agree with Marla. “He is very good looking. Have you ever tried getting to know him?”

     “Nah, he’s not interested. Every time I go to the stables he walks away.”

     “Maybe he’s just shy.”

     “Maybe.”

     Suddenly they saw Cliff start toward them and stopped talking.

     “Congratulations. Mrs. Wilkinson. Hello Miss Marla,” he said when he reached them, tipping his cowboy hat.

     “Thank you Cliff, and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Jenna?” she admonished with a smile.

     “Okay, Jenna,” he said shyly.

     “That’s better.”

     “Hello Cliff,” Marla said, flirtatiously flipping her hair.

     He cleared his throat and glanced toward the dance floor. “Miss Marla, would you care to dance?” he asked nervously.

     “I would love to dance. Talk to you later sis,” Marla gave Jenna a knowing look as he took her hand in his.

     Jenna watched as they walked away, thinking that Marla was right, Cliff did have great buns. She smiled to herself and headed toward her parents.   

     “Hey Mom, let me take Little Stanley for a while, you go mingle,” Jenna said to her mother.

     She had kept her pregnancy secret from her parents, calling them periodically to tell them she was okay but making sure not to visit them when she was pregnant. She was sure they would be disappointed in her when they found out she was going to be a single mom and didn’t want to be subjected to their criticism. But when they finally learned about the baby the news had elicited a much different reaction from what she had expected. They had embraced grandparenthood wholeheartedly, doting on Little Stanley and offering support to Jenna. She was amazed at the transformation and was enjoying finally having the parents she always dreamed of.

     “Don’t you dare take him away,” Marion said as she swatted Jenna’s hand away. “He wants to hang out with his grandma, don’t you darling?”

     Little Stanley grinned at his grandmother, exposing his one tooth and making them laugh out loud.

     “Well, if you need to be relieved just let me know.”

     “Will do,” Marion said as she walked toward her husband.

     Jenna was watching them enjoying their grandchild when she felt two strong arms encircle her waist.

     “Happy?” Wade asked, nuzzling her neck.

     “Very.”

     She turned and he took her in his arms.

     “Thank you.” 

     “For what,” Jenna asked, melting into him.

     “For making me the happiest man on the planet.”

     “You’re more than welcome kind sir,” she said, as he lowered his head and kissed her softly.