Authors: Denise McDonald
Baker’s Law (30 page)
“Sure. I guess I need to look over the place and get my insurance information.” She
took in a deep breath. “So…without being too presumptuous, how soon do you think I
can move in with you?”
Jax’s heart hammered in his chest. “As soon as you can pack your things.”
“Things are highly overrated. We could just head over there right now.” She waggled
her eyebrows at him when he glanced her way.
“I would love to. More than anything.” As evident by the sudden bulge in his jeans.
“But you—and by extension me—need to take it easy for a few days. Doctor’s orders.
There will be plenty of time. The rest of our lives.” He kissed her fingers again.
“Fine. Be a party pooper.” She chuckled.
Jax pulled the truck in front of her shop. The setting sun glared off the front windows.
“The window’s fixed already?”
“Huh, must have been the cupcake fairies.” Jax shrugged and shut off the engine.
Marissa giggled. “Cupcakes fairies?” She reached to open the door but Jax stopped
her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Impatient much? Hang on and let me come around.”
“I can manage.”
“I’m sure you can.” He leaned in so close he could see the little brown specks in
her hazel eyes. “Humor me.” His lips pressed into hers.
Marissa slanted her head and deepened the kiss.
As much as Jax wanted to melt into her, they had some pressing business they needed
to take care of. Once he got her home, and she was sufficiently healed…all bets were
off for when they might come up for air.
Jax reluctantly pulled back. “Don’t move.”
Marissa moaned, with her eyes closed. “I don’t know if I can anymore.”
Jax chuckled and got out of the truck. He turned his back to the storefront as he
surreptitiously adjusted himself and crossed around to Marissa’s door. He opened the
door and held out his arm to her. “Madam.”
Marissa slid from the truck, holding on to Jax for stability. Tears glistened in her
eyes. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Wasn’t me.”
“What? Then who…”
Jax shrugged and jingled the keys to her store in his hand. He’d gotten copies made
from Hill’s set. He unlocked the door and let Marissa precede him into the shop. “Stand
here and let me get the lights.” He leaned in close to her, kissed her cheek and said,
“I may have let it slip a little that you said
yes.
”
She stumbled over words of appreciation as he left her standing there and hurried
to the back to flip on the light.
When the lights came up, fourteen people popped up from behind the counter and shouted,
“Surprise!”
Marissa stood with her mouth gaping open. Her friends and family—and family to be,
as Callie wiggled her fingers at her—crowded in behind the counter of her shop.
“Guys…” Tears threatened to fall. She’d been on the verge of crying when she saw the
brand-new window. It took herculean effort for her to keep the tears at bay. “What
are y’all…” Her voice caught when she noticed the tabletops were covered in light
blue linens and the cupcakes she’d made for Callie’s wedding shower.
She covered the lower part of her face with her hand as her chin quivered.
Marlie and Cherry came rushing from behind the counter. The both reached to grab for
her but stopped when they took in her sling. Both started talking at the same time.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“How long have you been dating?”
“I’m planning your wedding, no questions asked.”
The three of them giggled as they had when they were in elementary school. When they
tamped down the questions and excitement, they each gave her a gentle hug and let
the next well-wisher approach.
Hill sauntered up with his I’m-too-cool-for-the-room teenage swagger, but his facade
broke when he got within arm’s length and tears rimmed his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” She looked past him to Jax then back.
“Chief Carlisle, Jax…” He shook his head. “It’ll take me a little while to get used
to calling him Jax.” Hill rocked back on his feet. “He talked to the DA. I’m cooperating
with him on all the cases that I know of. I’ll get probation. And being that I’ll
be living under the chief of police’s nose… It’s all going to be okay.”
It’s going to be okay.
Jax had said almost the same words to her. When he’d said it, she’d known that it
would be. She didn’t know how, but when Jax had told her it would work, she knew it
would.
“I am so happy for you and Jax. He’s a great guy.”
“And for you. Are you sure you’re willing to be stuck with us for parents?”
He swallowed heavily and nodded. He leaned down and hugged her. “If I haven’t told
you, thank you.” He held on to her tightly. “You have changed my life in so many ways.
I love you.”
The tears she’d kept at bay spilled out. She blubbered all over the poor teenager’s
shoulder. “You’ve changed my life just as much, Hill. I love you, too.”
When he released her, after her tears finally subsided, she was swept away into concerns
over her injuries and congrats on her pending nuptials. It was nearly an hour later
when her dad pulled her aside.
“You have some amazing guys there, Mar.”
“You’ve met them?” Marissa should have introduced the men in her life sooner.
“Yes. Jackson came to me this morning once you were settled in at the hospital. I
have to tell you, you gave us a terrible scare.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault, Mar.” Her dad put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his
side. “You can’t help it if some young man goes batshit crazy.”
Marissa snorted and laid her head on her dad’s shoulder.
“Jackson asked my permission to marry you.”
Her heart stuttered. “He did?”
“He did. How could I turn down such a thoughtful young man? As long as he makes you
happy.”
She lifted her gaze to her father’s. “He does. More every day.”
“Then that’s all I can ask for my baby girl.” Her dad kissed her forehead, then lifted
his head to look over his shoulder. “I think someone is waiting to talk to you.”
Marissa stifled a moan. She was so happy to see her friends and family, but she was
wiped out. But when her dad released her, she turned to find Jax standing behind them.
She walked into his embrace.
“I can’t believe you did all this.” She lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed the underside
of his chin.
“Wasn’t me. I told you Callie was a buttinski. She and your sister overheard me talking
to your dad and went into planner mode. I was worried it was a little too much.” He
looked down at her.
“I’m getting a little tired, but it was a wonderful surprise.” Marissa snuggled closer
despite the pain in her arm. “I’ve been thinking, how do you feel about a spring wedding?”
“Hmm, well I guess we can wait a year.” He set his cheek upon the top of her head.
“Oh, I don’t mean next spring. I was thinking in maybe a few weeks. Once Callie’s
big shindig is out of the way. I don’t want to steal any of her thunder.”
Jax released her and held her at arm’s length. A smile crooked up the corner of his
mouth. “Don’t brides need a lot of time to decide and prepare?”
“Some do, sure. But I have what I want right here.” She motioned to her shop filled
with all the people she loved. “I’d even do it today, right now, if I didn’t look
so ragged.”
“You’re beautiful.” Jax kissed her.
“You’re full of it, but that’s one of the reasons I love you.”
“I’m game whenever, wherever you are. You just name the place and time.”
“You’re in for way more than you bargained for.” Marissa motioned to Hill. He and
Lexi stood in a corner cozying up. “You sure you’re ready for the challenge?”
“With you by my side—” Jax ran his hand down her side to her waist and pulled her
in close “—I’m ready for anything.”
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About the Author
Denise McDonald started her writing career at the tender age of eight. Her stories
have changed over the years, but not her love for telling tales. An overactive imagination
and a natural propensity for embellishment allow her to fill her sexy contemporary
romances with intriguing plot twists, a little butt-kicking and a lot of action. Throw
in some characters you can’t help but love and you’ll find yourself so deeply immersed
in her small-town communities, you’ll expect to be present and accounted for at the
next town function. Denise lives in Texas with her very own romance hero of over twenty
years, four boys and two dogs.
eISBN-13: 9781460330760
BAKER’S LAW
Copyright © 2014 by Denise B. McDonald
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